Extracellular histones as biomarkers for prognosis and molecular targets for therapy

ABSTRACT

Hyper-inflammatory responses can lead to a variety of diseases including sepsis. It is now shown that extracellular histones released in response to inflammatory challenge are mediators contributing to endothelial dysfunction, organ failure and death during sepsis. As such, they can be targeted pharmacologically by inhibitors, as well as used as biomarkers for prognosis of sepsis and other diseases.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/734,238, filed Jun. 9, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/270,470, filed May 6, 2014, which is adivisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/266,336, filed Nov. 6,2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,716,218, issued May 6, 2014, which claimsbenefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/985,886, filed Nov.6, 2007. The entire text of each of the above-referenced disclosures isspecifically incorporated herein by reference without disclaimer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The sequence listing that is contained in the file named“OMRFP0090USC2_ST25.txt”, which is 7 KB (as measured in MicrosoftWindows®) and was created on Dec. 7, 2017, is filed herewith byelectronic submission and is incorporated by reference herein.

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the fields of medicine, molecular andcell biology. More particularly, it relates to the identification ofextracellular histones as mediators of cellular toxicity, and their useas targets in both diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

II. Related Art

Hyper-inflammatory responses to infection contribute to sepsis. Thecurrent understanding of pathogenesis of sepsis is that release ofpro-inflammatory cytokines by host cells in response to the invadingpathogens causes tissue injury and lethality. Tumor necrosis factor(TNF) and interleukin 1 β (IL-1β) from macrophages stimulated bylipopolysaccharide (LPS) were identified as early mediators and highmobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) was identified as a late mediator′.Although inhibiting these mediators is protective in animal models,clinical trials of TNF and IL-1β as therapeutic targets in sepsis failed(Wang et al., 1999). Although HMGB1 is a potential therapeutic target inseptic patients, recent studies indicate that HMGB1 itself is a weakpro-inflammatory cytokine and levels of HMGB1 correlated only weakly toother pro-inflammatory markers in patients with suspectedcommunity-acquired infections and sepsis (Rouhiainen et al., 2007; Gainiet al., 2007).

At present, recombinant human activated protein C (APC) is the onlypharmacological agent approved for the treatment of severe sepsispatients with organ failure and a high risk of death (Bernard et al.,2001; Baltch et al., 2007). Although anti-coagulation, anti-inflammatoryand cytoprotective functions of APC appear to contribute to theprotection in animal models, the mechanism by which APC improves theclinical outcome is unknown (Russell, 2006). Protein C is converted toAPC by thrombin complexed with thrombomodulin (TM) on the endothelium.APC cleaves activated factor V and factor VIII, thus negativelydown-regulating thrombin formation and maintaining the hemostaticbalance in vivo (Esmon, 2003). APC protects animal from E. coli mediatedseptic lethality (Taylor et al., 1987). Clinical trials of two otheranti-coagulant therapies, anti-thrombin III and tissue factor-pathwayinhibitor, failed to improve survival of septic patients, suggestingthat modulation of coagulation may not be the primary mechanismunderlying the therapeutic benefit from APC treatment in sepsis(Russell, 2006).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided amethod of inhibiting a medical condition involving extracellular histonecytotoxicity in a subject comprising administering to a subject a firstinhibitor histone cytotoxicity, wherein the first inhibitor is not anH2A peptide, and wherein the condition is not systemic lupuserythematosus (SLE). The first inhibitor may comprise an H1, H2B, H3 orH4 histone fragment or peptide, such as an H4 peptide comprisingresidues 50-67 of H4 (SEQ ID NO: 19). The method may further compriseadministering to the subject a second inhibitor of histone cytotoxicity,such as an H1, H2A, H2B, H3 or H4 histone fragment or peptide that isdistinct from the first inhibitor, or a cocktail of at least threedistinct histone fragments or peptides, including a cocktail comprisingH3 and H4 peptides. The subject may be a human, dog, cat, horse, monkey,mouse, rat, rabbit, sheep, goat, cow or pig.

The method may further comprise administering to the subject ananti-inflammatory agent and/or activated protein C. The first inhibitorof histone cytotoxicity may be an anti-histone antibody, such as onethat binds to H1, H2A, H2B, H3 or H4. The first inhibitor of histonecytotoxicity may also be a cocktail of antibodies that binds to three ormore of an H1, H2A, H2B, H3 or H4. The first inhibitor of histonecytotoxicity may comprise a cocktail of at least one histone fragment orpeptide and at least one anti-histone antibody. The first inhibitor ofhistone cytotoxicity may be granzyme A or B, plasmin, Factor 7activating protease or heparin. The disease may be bacterial sepsis,fungal sepsis, surgery, traumatic hemorrhage and/or tissue damage, acutepancreatitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, ischemia-reperfusioninjury, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease other than SLE,chemotherapy toxicity, radiotherapy toxicity, cytokine therapy toxicity,or burn.

In another embodiment, there is provided a method of inhibiting anon-septic disease state involving extracellular histone cytotoxicity ina subject comprising administering to a subject a first inhibitorhistone cytotoxicity, and wherein the disease state is not systemiclupus erythematosus (SLE).

In still yet another embodiment, there is provided a method ofdetermining a subjects' disease prognosis comprising (a) obtaining aserum or plasma sample from the subject; and (b) determining theextracellular histone content of the sample, wherein the presence ofextracellular histone in the sample indicates that the subject is atrisk of disease progression. Step (b) may comprise ELISA or Westernblotting using anti-histone antibodies. The method may further comprisetreating the subject with an anti-inflammatory agent or an inhibitor ofextracellular hi stone cytotoxicity.

In yet additional embodiments, there are provided (a) a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising peptides from at least three of histone H1, H2A,H2B, H3 and H4, including peptides from each of H1, H2A, H2B, H3 and H4;(b) a pharmaceutical composition comprising antibodies that bind to atleast three of histone H1, H2A, H2B, H3 and H4, including antibodiesbind to each of H1, H2A, H2B, H3 and H4; and (c) compositions as in (a)and (b) and further comprising activated protein C.

In still a further embodiment, there is provided a method of inhibitingpro-inflammatory cytokine production by endothelial cells in a subjectcomprising administering to the subject a first inhibitor histonecytotoxicity, wherein the first inhibitor is not an H2A peptide. Thesubject, in particular embodiments, does not have systemic lupuserythematosus (SLE). The pro-inflammatory cytokine may be IL-6 or IL-8.The first inhibitor may comprise an H1, H2B, H3 or H4 histone fragmentor peptide. The H4 peptide may comprise residues 50-67 of H4 (SEQ ID NO:19). The method may further comprise administering to the subject asecond inhibitor of histone cytotoxicity, such as an H1, H2A, H2B, H3 orH4 histone fragment or peptide that is distinct from the firstinhibitor. The method may further comprise administering to the subjecta cocktail of at least three distinct histone fragments or peptides. Thesubject may be a human, dog, cat, horse, monkey, mouse, rat, rabbit,sheep, goat, cow or pig. The first inhibitor of histone cytotoxicity maybe an anti-histone antibody, such as an anti-histone antibody that bindsto H1, H2A, H2B, H3 or H4. The first inhibitor of histone cytotoxicitymay be a cocktail of antibodies that binds to three or more of H1, H2A,H2B, H3 or H4. The first inhibitor of histone cytotoxicity may comprisea cocktail of at least one histone fragment or peptide and at least oneanti-histone antibody. The subject may suffer from chroniccardiovascular disease, such as athlerosclereosis, or tumor angiogenesisor trauma.

In still yet a further embodiment, there is provided a method ofreducing endothelial permeability in a subject comprising administeringto the subject a first inhibitor histone cytotoxicity, wherein the firstinhibitor is not an H2A peptide. In some embodiments, the subject doesnot have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In other embodiments, thesubject has contacted anthrax or suffers from edema, vascular leak, orshock, including circulatory shock. The first inhibitor may comprise anH1, H2B, H3 or H4 histone fragment or peptide. The H4 peptide maycomprise residues 50-67 of H4 (SEQ ID NO: 19). The method may furthercomprise administering to the subject a second inhibitor of histonecytotoxicity, such as an H1, H2A, H2B, H3 or H4 histone fragment orpeptide that is distinct from the first inhibitor. The method mayfurther comprise administering to the subject a cocktail of at leastthree distinct histone fragments or peptides. The subject may be ahuman, dog, cat, horse, monkey, mouse, rat, rabbit, sheep, goat, cow orpig. The first inhibitor of histone cytotoxicity may be an anti-histoneantibody, such as an anti-histone antibody that binds to H1, H2A, H2B,H3 or H4. The first inhibitor of histone cytotoxicity may be a cocktailof antibodies that binds to three or more of H1, H2A, H2B, H3 or H4. Thefirst inhibitor of histone cytotoxicity may comprise a cocktail of atleast one histone fragment or peptide and at least one anti-histoneantibody.

The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term“comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” butit is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,”and “one or more than one.”

It is contemplated that any embodiment discussed herein can beimplemented with respect to any method or composition of the invention,and vice versa. Furthermore, compositions and kits of the invention canbe used to achieve methods of the invention.

Throughout this application, the term “about” is used to indicate that avalue includes the standard deviation of error for the device or methodbeing employed to determine the value.

The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean “and/or” unlessexplicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternativesare mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definitionthat refers to only alternatives and “and/or.”

As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (andany form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having”(and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and anyform of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing”(and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) areinclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecitedelements or method steps.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description. It should beunderstood, however, that the detailed description and the specificexamples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, aregiven by way of illustration only, since various changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings form part of the present specification and areincluded to further demonstrate certain aspects of the presentinvention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one ormore of these drawings in combination with the detailed description ofspecific embodiments presented herein.

FIGS. 1A-C—Differential expression of EPCR and TM in mouse organs. (FIG.1A) EPCR or TM mRNA expression levels from indicated organs of mice(n=3) were determined by real time PCR and expressed as percentage ofthe level in spleen for EPCR and lung for TM. (FIG. 1B) EPCR or TM mRNAexpression levels from indicated organs of mice (n=4) 18 hr after LPSchallenge (10 mg/kg i.v.) were determined by real time PCR and expressedas fold change compared to the levels of expression in mice treated withsaline (n=4). (FIG. 1C) Organ tissue extracts were immunoprecipitated byRMEPCR1560, separated by SDSPAGE and immunoblotted by biotin-labeledRMEPCR1543.

FIGS. 2A-B—Differential regulation of EPCR and TM on mouse macrophage byLPS and IFN. Mouse peritoneal macrophages were stimulated with LPS (1μg/ml), IFN (20 ng/ml) or both for 24 hr. (FIG. 2A) EPCR or (FIG. 2B) TMsurface expression was measured by flow cytometry with anti-EPCR oranti-TM mAb.

FIGS. 3A-C—Enhancement of protein C activation on activated macrophagesby LPS and IFN. (FIG. 3A) Protein C activation was measured on mouseperitoneal macrophages stimulated with or without LPS (1 μg/ml), IFN (20ng/ml) or both for 24 hr, with 100 nM mouse protein C and 10 nM bovinethrombin in the absence or presence of 200 nM anti-EPCR mAb for 30 minat 37° C. APC activity was determined by its amidolytic activity towardchromogenic substrates. (FIG. 3B) Thrombin generation was measured withthe same condition in (FIG. 3A) except using 200 nM bovine prothrombin,3 nM bovine factor V and 85 nM bovine factor X instead of 10 nM bovinethrombin, in the absence or presence of 100 nM mouse protein C. (FIG.3C) APC activity was measured under the condition (FIG. 3B) in thepresence of mouse protein C.

FIGS. 4A-B—APC cleaves histone H4. (FIG. 4A) Western blot ofconcentrated conditioned medium of RAW cells or activated RAW cells withLPS and IFN in the absence or presence of APC. (FIG. 4B) Purifiedhistone H4 was incubated with or without APC and subject to SDS-PAGE andstaining.

FIGS. 5A-C—APC modulates histone H4 antibacterial and cytotoxicactivities. Histones, histone H4 or H4 peptide (H4P39) generated by APCwere measured for their bactericidal activity against E. coli B7 strain(FIG. 5A) or M15 strain (FIG. 5B), and for their cytotoxic activitytoward EA.hy926 endothelial cells by PI staining (FIG. 5C).

FIGS. 6—H4P39 peptide rescues septic mice. Mice were intraperitoneallyinjected with LPS (10 mg/kg) in the absence or presence of H4P39 peptide(10 mg/kg). Survival rate of these treated mice was indicated.

FIG. 7—Histones down-regulate the protein C activation on endothelium.EA.hy926 cells were stimulated with histones (0.1 mg/ml) for theindicated time. After wash, cells were added to 100 nM human protein Cand 5 nM bovine thrombin. After 15 min at 37° C., the reaction mediumwas mixed with hirudin and measured for APC amidolytic activity towardPCa chromogenic substrate with V_(max) reading at OD₄₀₅.

FIG. 8—Histones induce IL-6 production from endothelium. EA.hy926 cellswere stimulated with histone (0.1 mg/ml) or histone H3, histone H4 (50μg/ml) for 24 hr at 37° C. in the absence or presence of APC (6 μg/ml),Anti-TLR2, Anti-TLR4 (10 μg/ml). Conditioned medium was measured forIL-6 production by IL-6 ELISA kit.

FIG. 9—Histones induce IL-8 production from endothelium. EA.hy926 cellswere stimulated with histone (0.1 mg/ml) or histone H3, histone H4 (50μg/ml) for 24 hr at 37° C. in the absence or presence of APC (6 μg/ml),Anti-TLR2, Anti-TLR4 (10 μg/ml). Conditioned medium was measured forIL-8 production by IL-6 ELISA kit.

FIG. 10—Histones activate NF-κB signaling pathway via TLR-2 and TLR-4.HEK293 cells expressing an indicated human TLR with the secretedalkaline phosphatase reporter gene under the control of NF-κB signalingpathway were stimulated by histones (0.1 mg/ml) for 16 hr. Conditionedmedium was measured for alkaline phosphatase activity at OD₆₅₀.

FIG. 11—Histones cause endothelial barrier dysfunction. EA.hy926 cellswere incubated on the transwell for 24 hr with or without histones (0.1mg/ml). Endothelial barrier dysfunction was measured for the leak ofEvans blue-BSA from the top chamber to the bottom chamber in thetranswell by OD₆₂₀.

FIGS. 12A-C—Identification of extracellular histones cleaved by APC.Activated murine macrophage cells (RAW264.7) stimulated by LPS (1 μg/ml)and IFN (20 ng/ml) for 24 hr were cultured in Opti-MEM medium with orwithout 100 nM human APC for another 24 hr. Concentrated conditionedmedium was either (FIG. 12A) measured for its cytotoxicity toward humanendothelial cells (EA.hy926) after 1 hr culture by flow cytometry for PIstaining or (FIG. 12B) subjected to SDS-PAGE and coomassie blue stainingor (FIG. 12C) subjected to DSPAGE and Western blotting for histone H3.

FIGS. 13A-D—Cytotoxicity of extracellular histones toward endotheliumand APC cleavage of histones. (FIG. 13A) EA.hy926 cells were culturedwith calf thymus histones (50 μg/ml) or calf thymus histone H1, H2A,H2B, H3 or H4 (20 μg/ml) for 1 hr at 37° C. Cell damage was measured byflow cytometry for PI staining. (FIG. 13B) APC (100 nM) was absent orpresent during the incubations with histones, histone H3 or H4 in theabove assays. (FIG. 13C) Purified calf thymus histone H3 (top panel) orhistone H4 (bottom panel) (100 μg/ml) was incubated in Opti-MEM mediumwith the indicated concentrations of human APC for 1 hr at 37° C.Samples were then subjected to SDS-PAGE and coomassie blue staining.(FIG. 13D) Purified calf thymus histone H3 (top panel) or histone H4(bottom panel) (100 μg/ml) was incubated in Opti-MEM medium with 10 nMhuman APC in the absence or presence of 0.5 mg/ml PS/PC or PE/PS/PCliposomes for 1 hr at 37° C. Samples were then subjected to SDS-PAGE andcoomassie blue staining.

FIGS. 14A-E—APC cleaves histones both in vitro and in vivo. (FIG. 14A)EA.hy926 cells were cultured with calf thymus histones in the indicatedconcentration in the absence or presence of APC (10 or 100 nM) at 37° C.for 1 hr. Cell damage was measured by flow cytometry for PI staining andexpressed as mean fluorescence index (MFI). (FIG. 14B) Calf thymushistones in Opti-MEM medium was incubated with APC (100 nM) at 37° C.for the indicated time and then mixed with PPACK (10 μM) to inactivateAPC. The above medium was used to culture EA.hy926 cells for 1 hr forcytotoxicity assay or (FIG. 14C) subjected to SDS-PAGE and Westernblotting for histone H3 or H4. (FIG. 14D) EA.hy926 cells were culturedwith calf thymus histones (50 μg/ml) in the absence or presence ofprotein C (100 nM), thrombin (T) (10 nM) or APC (100 nM) at 37° C. for30 min. Cell damage was measured by flow cytometry for PI staining.(FIG. 14E) Indicated time points of baboon plasma samples after E. colior E. coli plus APC challenge were subjected to SDS-PAGE and Westernblotting for histone H3.

FIGS. 15A-C—Endogenous APC or anti-histone H4 mAb protects mice from thelethality of LPS in vivo. (FIG. 15A) Mice were injected intravenouslywith a high dose of LPS (10 mg/kg) with anti-histone H4 or mouse IgGcontrol mAb (20 mg/kg). Survival rates of each group are indicated.(FIG. 15B) Mice were injected intravenously with a low dose of LPS (1mg/kg) with or without anti-PC mAb (2.5 mg/kg), and with anti-histone H4or histone H2B mAb (20 mg/kg). Survival rates of each group areindicated. (FIG. 15C) Mouse plasma was collected 6 hr after LPS or LPSplus mAb challenge and subjected to Western blotting for histone H3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Histones have been known as intranuclear DNA binding proteins involvedin gene regulation for more than 100 years. Histones also haveantibacterial activities and histone H3 and H4 are the majorcontributors to this function (Hirsch, 1958). The inventors now showthat extracellular histones, in particular histones H3 and H4, arecytotoxic toward endothelium and injection of histones causes lethalityof mice. Thus, extracellular histones should be considered as potentialbiomarkers for prognosis and molecular targets for therapeutics inaddition to APC for sepsis and other diseases.

A novel mechanism of killing bacteria extracellularly by neutrophilextracellular traps (NETs) was recently observed both in vitro and invivo (Brinkmann et al., 2004). NETs are composed of granular proteins,DNA and histone H1, H2A, H2B, H3 and H4. However, this potentantibacterial mechanism occurs at the expense of injury to endotheliumand tissue (Clark et al., 2007). The PI-positive staining of theendothelium upon exposure to NETs is similar to the inventors' findingthat the endothelium could be damaged upon exposure to histones.Together with the increase of the histone in the circulation of E. colichallenged baboons, the lethal effect of histone injection and therescuing effect of anti-histone H4 peptide in LPS-induced septic shock,the inventors propose that extracellular histones are major contributorsto cellular dysfunction, subsequent organ failure and death.

APC is currently the only drug for the treatment of severe sepsis. Theinventors now propose that destruction of cytotoxic histones as anadditional mechanism by which APC exerts protective effects in septicpatients. The protection of acute renal dysfunction by exogenous APC inbaboons challenged with a lethal dose E. coli is consistent with therecent finding in which acquired protein C deficiency correlated withrenal dysfunction in a cecal ligation and puncture model ofpolymicrobial sepsis and treatment with APC improved renal function andmarkers of tissue injury (Gupta et al., 2007). Whether histones arecausative mediators in the renal dysfunction in sepsis and other renaldiseases remains an open question. For example, in systemic lupuserythematosus (SLE), APC generation and binding onto phospholipids isoften compromised by auto-immune antibodies against the componentsinvolved in the protein C pathway (Esmon et al., 2000). Given theenhancement of APC cleaving histones, as well as factor Va by PEcontaining lipids, anti-phospholipid antibodies may not only inhibit APCanti-coagulant activity but may also compromise the destruction ofcytotoxic histones by APC and contribute to the severity of the disease.In human SLE patients, glomerular apoptotic nucleosomes are detected ascentral target structures for nephritogenic antibodies (Kalaaji et al.,2007), implying that extracellular histones could be involved in thispathogenic process.

I. Hyper-Inflammatory Disease States

The present invention contemplates diagnosing and intervening in avariety of disease states that involve the release of histones and theresulting extracellular toxicity therefrom. A number of these diseasestates are described below.

A. Sepsis

Sepsis is a serious medical condition characterized by a whole-bodyinflammatory state caused by infection. Traditionally the term sepsishas been used interchangeably with septicaemia and septicemia (“bloodpoisoning”). However, these terms are no longer considered synonymous;septicemia is considered a subset of sepsis.

Symptoms of sepsis are often related to the underlying infectiousprocess. When the infection crosses into sepsis, the resulting symptomsare that of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS): generalinflammation, fever, elevated white blood cell count (leukocytosis), andraised heart rate (tachycardia) and breathing rate (tachypnea).Secondary to the above, symptoms also include flu like chills.

The immunological response that causes sepsis is a systemic inflammatoryresponse causing widespread activation of inflammation and coagulationpathways. This may progress to dysfunction of the circulatory systemand, even under optimal treatment, may result in the multiple organdysfunction syndrome and eventually death.

Sepsis is considered present if infection is highly suspected or provenand two or more of the following systemic inflammatory response syndrome(SIRS) criteria are met:

-   -   heart rate >90 beats per minute    -   body temperature <36 (96.8° F.) or >38° C. (100.4° F.)    -   hyperventilation (high respiratory rate) >20 breaths per minute        or, on blood gas, a P_(a)CO₂ less than 32 mm Hg    -   white blood cell count <4000 cells/mm³ or >12000 cells/mm³        (<4×10⁹ or >12×10⁹ cells/L), or greater than 10% band forms        (immature white blood cells).        Consensus definitions however continue to evolve with the latest        expanding the list of signs and symptoms of sepsis to reflect        clinical bedside experience.

The more critical subsets of sepsis are severe sepsis (sepsis with acuteorgan dysfunction) and septic shock (sepsis with refractory arterialhypotension). Alternatively, when two or more of the systemicinflammatory response syndrome criteria are met without evidence ofinfection, patients may be diagnosed simply with “SIRS.” Patients withSIRS and acute organ dysfunction may be termed “severe SIRS.”

Patients are defined as having “severe sepsis” if they have sepsis plussigns of systemic hypoperfusion; either end organ dysfunction or a serumlactate greater than 4 mmol/dL. Patient are defined as having septicshock if they have sepsis plus hypotension after an appropriate fluidbolus (typically 20 ml/kg of crystaloid). The criteria for diagnosing anadult with sepsis do not apply to infants under one month of age. Ininfants, only the presence of infection plus a “constellation” of signsand symptoms consistent with the systemic response to infection arerequired for diagnosis.

The therapy of sepsis rests on antibiotics, surgical drainage ofinfected fluid collections, fluid replacement and appropriate supportfor organ dysfunction. This may include hemodialysis in kidney failure,mechanical ventilation in pulmonary dysfunction, transfusion of bloodproducts, and drug and fluid therapy for circulatory failure. Ensuringadequate nutrition, if necessary by parenteral nutrition, is importantduring prolonged illness.

A problem in the adequate management of septic patients has been thedelay in administering therapy after sepsis has been recognized.Published studies have demonstrated that for every hour delay in theadministration of appropriate antibiotic therapy there is an associated7% rise in mortality. A large international collaboration wasestablished to educate people about sepsis and to improve patientoutcomes with sepsis, entitled the “Surviving Sepsis Campaign.” TheCampaign has published an evidence-based review of management strategiesfor severe sepsis, with the aim to publish a complete set of guidelinesin subsequent years.

Most therapies aimed at the inflammatory process itself have failed toimprove outcome, however drotrecogin alfa (activated protein C, one ofthe coagulation factors) has been shown to decrease mortality from about31% to about 25% in severe sepsis. To qualify for drotrecogin alfa, apatient must have severe sepsis or septic shock with an APACHE II scoreof 25 or greater and a low risk of bleeding. Low dose hydrocortisonetreatment has shown promise for septic shock patients with relativeadrenal insufficiency as defined by ACTH stimulation testing.

Standard treatment of infants with suspected sepsis consists ofsupportive care, maintaining fluid status with intravenous fluids, andthe combination of a beta-lactam antibiotic (such as ampicillin) with anaminoglycoside such as gentamicin.

B. Trauma

Physical trauma is a serious and body-altering physical injury, such asthe removal of a limb. Blunt force trauma, a type of physical traumacaused by impact or other force applied from or with a blunt object,whereas penetrating trauma is a type of physical trauma in which theskin or tissues are pierced by an object. Trauma can also be describedas both unplanned, such as an accident, or planned, in the case ofsurgery. Both can be characterized by mild to severe tissue damage,blood loss and/or shock, and both may lead to subsequent infection,including sepsis. The present invention provides to treatment of trauma,including both pre-treatment (in the case of a medical procedure) andtreatment after trauma injury as occurred.

i. Surgery

Surgery uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patientto investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease orinjury, to help improve bodily function or appearance, or sometimes forsome other reason. The present invention can address trauma resultingfrom surgeries, as defined further below.

As a general rule, a procedure is considered surgical when it involvescutting of a patient's tissues or closure of a previously sustainedwound. Other procedures that do not necessarily fall under this rubric,such as angioplasty or endoscopy, may be considered surgery if theyinvolve common surgical procedure or settings, such as use of a sterileenvironment, anesthesia, antiseptic conditions, typical surgicalinstruments, and suturing or stapling. All forms of surgery areconsidered invasive procedures; so-called noninvasive surgery usuallyrefers to an excision that does not penetrate the structure beingaddressed (e.g., laser ablation of the cornea) or to a radiosurgicalprocedure (e.g., irradiation of a tumor). Surgery can last from minutesto hours.

Surgical procedures are commonly categorized by urgency, type ofprocedure, body system involved, degree of invasiveness, and specialinstrumentation. Elective surgery is done to correct anon-life-threatening condition, and is carried out at the patient'srequest, subject to the surgeon's and the surgical facility'savailability. Emergency surgery is surgery which must be done quickly tosave life, limb, or functional capacity. Exploratory surgery isperformed to aid or confirm a diagnosis. Therapeutic surgery treats apreviously diagnosed condition.

Amputation involves cutting off a body part, usually a limb or digit.Replantation involves reattaching a severed body part. Reconstructivesurgery involves reconstruction of an injured, mutilated, or deformedpart of the body. Cosmetic surgery is done to improve the appearance ofan otherwise normal structure. Excision is the cutting out of an organ,tissue, or other body part from the patient. Transplant surgery is thereplacement of an organ or body part by insertion of another fromdifferent human (or animal) into the patient. Removing an organ or bodypart from a live human or animal for use in transplant is also a type ofsurgery.

When surgery is performed on one organ system or structure, it may beclassed by the organ, organ system or tissue involved. Examples includecardiac surgery (performed on the heart), gastrointestinal surgery(performed within the digestive tract and its accessory organs), andorthopedic surgery (performed on bones and/or muscles).

Minimally invasive surgery involves smaller outer incision(s) to insertminiaturized instruments within a body cavity or structure, as inlaparoscopic surgery or angioplasty. By contrast, an open surgicalprocedure requires a large incision to access the area of interest.Laser surgery involves use of a laser for cutting tissue instead of ascalpel or similar surgical instruments. Microsurgery involves the useof an operating microscope for the surgeon to see small structures.Robotic surgery makes use of a surgical robot, such as Da Vinci or Zeussurgical systems, to control the instrumentation under the direction ofthe surgeon.

ii. Traumatic Hemorrhage

Traumatic hemorrhage accounts for much of the wide ranging internationalimpact of injury, causing a large proportion of deaths and creatinggreat morbidity in the injured. Despite differences in pre-hospitalcare, the acute management of traumatic hemorrhage is similar around theworld and follows well accepted published guidelines. A criticallyinjured patient's care occurs as four, often overlapping segments: theresuscitative, operative, and critical care phases. The diagnosis andcontrol of bleeding should be a high priority during all of the phasesof trauma care and is especially important in the patient who is inhemorrhagic shock. Early attempts at hemorrhage control include directcontrol of visible sources of severe bleeding with direct pressure,pressure dressings, or tourniquets; stabilization of long bone andpelvic fractures; and keeping the patient warm. During the resuscitativephase, warmed intravenous fluids, hypotensive resuscitation prior tosurgical control of hemorrhage, and appropriate transfusion of blood andblood products are provided. In the operative phase, surgical control ofthe hemorrhage and any other injury, and additional transfusion isprovide. Finally, the critical care phase provides for post-operativesupport and tissue perfusion.

C. Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is rapidly-onset inflammation of the pancreas.Depending on its severity, it can have severe complications and highmortality despite treatment. While mild cases are often successfullytreated with conservative measures or laparoscopy, severe cases requireinvasive surgery (often more than one intervention) to contain thedisease process.

D. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), also known as respiratorydistress syndrome (RDS) or adult respiratory distress syndrome (incontrast with IRDS) is a serious reaction to various forms of injuriesto the lung. This is the most important disorder resulting in increasedpermeability pulmonary edema.

ARDS is a severe lung disease caused by a variety of direct and indirectinsults. It is characterized by inflammation of the lung parenchymaleading to impaired gas exchange with concomitant systemic release ofinflammatory mediators causing inflammation, hypoxemia and frequentlyresulting in multiple organ failure. This condition is life threateningand often lethal, usually requiring mechanical ventilation and admissionto an intensive care unit. A less severe form is called acute lunginjury (ALI).

ARDS can occur within 24 to 48 hours of an injury or attack of acuteillness. In such a case the patient usually presents with shortness ofbreath, tachypnea, and symptoms related to the underlying cause, i.e.,shock. Long term illnesses can also trigger it, such as malaria. TheARDS may then occur sometime after the onset of a particularly acutecase of the infection.

An arterial blood gas analysis and chest X-ray allow formal diagnosis byinference using the aforementioned criteria. Although severe hypoxemiais generally included, the appropriate threshold defining abnormal PaO₂has never been systematically studied. Any cardiogenic cause ofpulmonary edema should be excluded. This can be done by placing apulmonary artery catheter for measuring the pulmonary artery wedgepressure. However, this is not necessary and is now rarely done asabundant evidence has emerged demonstrating that the use of pulmonaryartery catheters does not lead to improved patient outcomes in criticalillness including ARDS. Plain chest X-rays are sufficient to documentbilateral alveolar infiltrates in the majority of cases. While CTscanning leads to more accurate images of the pulmonary parenchyma inARDS, its has little utility in the clinical management of patients withARDS, and remains largely a research tool.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is usually treated with mechanicalventilation in the Intensive Care Unit. Ventilation is usually deliveredthrough oro-tracheal intubation, or tracheostomy whenever prolongedventilation (>2 weeks) is deemed inevitable. The possibilities ofnon-invasive ventilation are limited to the very early period of thedisease or, better, to prevention in individuals at risk for thedevelopment of the disease (atypical pneumonias, pulmonary contusion,major surgery patients). Treatment of the underlying cause isimperative, as it tends to maintain the ARDS picture. Appropriateantibiotic therapy must be administered as soon as microbiologicalculture results are available. Empirical therapy may be appropriate iflocal microbiological surveillance is efficient. More than 60% ARDSpatients experience a (nosocomial) pulmonary infection either before orafter the onset of lung injury. The origin of infection, when surgicallytreatable, must be operated on. When sepsis is diagnosed, appropriatelocal protocols should be enacted.

E. Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Reperfusion injury refers to damage to tissue caused when blood supplyreturns to the tissue after a period of ischemia. The absence of oxygenand nutrients from blood creates a condition in which the restoration ofcirculation results in inflammation and oxidative damage through theinduction of oxidative stress rather than restoration of normalfunction.

The damage of reperfusion injury is due in part to the inflammatoryresponse of damaged tissues. White blood cells carried to the area bythe newly returning blood release a host of inflammatory factors such asinterleukins as well as free radicals in response to tissuedamage^([1]). The restored blood flow reintroduces oxygen within cellsthat damages cellular proteins, DNA, and the plasma membrane. Damage tothe cell's membrane may in turn cause the release of more free radicals.Such reactive species may also act indirectly in redox signaling to turnon apoptosis. Leukocytes may also build up in small capillaries,obstructing them and leading to more ischemia.

Reperfusion injury plays a part in the brain's ischemic cascade, whichis involved in stroke and brain trauma. Repeated bouts of ischemia andreperfusion injury also are thought to be a factor leading to theformation and failure to heal of chronic wounds such as pressure soresand diabetic foot ulcers. Continuous pressure limits blood supply andcauses ischemia, and the inflammation occurs during reperfusion. As thisprocess is repeated, it eventually damages tissue enough to cause awound.

In prolonged ischemia (60 min or more), hypoxanthine is formed asbreakdown product of ATP metabolism. The enzyme xanthine dehydrogenaseis converted to xanthine oxidase as a result of the higher availabilityof oxygen. This oxidation results in molecular oxygen being convertedinto highly reactive superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. Xanthine oxidasealso produces uric acid, which may act as both a prooxidant and as ascavenger of reactive species such as peroxinitrite. Excessive nitricoxide produced during reperfusion reacts with superoxide to produce thepotent reactive species peroxynitrite. Such radicals and reactive oxygenspecies attack cell membrane lipids, proteins, and glycosaminoglycans,causing further damage. They may also initiate specific biologicalprocesses by redox signaling.

F. Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease refers to the class of diseases that involve theheart or blood vessels (arteries and veins). While the term technicallyrefers to any disease that affects the cardiovascular system, it isusually used to refer to those related to atherosclerosis (arterialdisease). These conditions have similar causes, mechanisms, andtreatments. Treatment of cardiovascular disease depends on the specificform of the disease in each patient, but effective treatment alwaysincludes preventive lifestyle changes discussed above. Medications, suchas blood pressure reducing medications, aspirin and the statincholesterol-lowering drugs may be helpful. In some circumstances,surgery or angioplasty may be warranted to reopen, repair, or replacedamaged blood vessels

Most Western countries face high and increasing rates of cardiovasculardisease. Each year, heart disease kills more Americans than cancer.Diseases of the heart alone caused 30% of all deaths, with otherdiseases of the cardiovascular system causing substantial further deathand disability. Up until the year 2005, it was the number 1 cause ofdeath and disability in the United States and most European countries. Alarge histological study (PDAY) showed vascular injury accumulates fromadolescence, making primary prevention efforts necessary from childhood.

Some biomarkers are thought to offer a more detailed risk ofcardiovascular disease. However, the clinical value of these biomarkersis questionable. Currently, biomarkers which may reflect a higher riskof cardiovascular disease include:

-   -   higher fibrinogen and PAI-1 blood concentrations    -   hlevated homocysteine, or even upper half of normal    -   elevated blood levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine    -   high inflammation as measured by C-reactive protein    -   levated blood levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)        Various forms of cardiovascular disease include aneurysms,        angina, arrhythmia, atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy,        cerebrovascular disease, congenital heart disease, congestive        heart failure, myocarditis, valve disease, coronary artery        disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, diastolic dysfunction,        endocarditis, high blood pressure (hypertension), hypertrophic        cardiomyopathy, nitral valve prolapse, myocardial infarction,        and venous thromboembolism.

G. Autoimmune/Inflammtory Disease

The present invention contemplates the treatment of a variety ofautoimmune and/or inflammatory disease states such asspondyloarthropathy, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis,reactive arthritis, enteropathic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn'sdisease, irritable bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenilerheumatoid arthritis, familial Mediterranean fever, amyotrophic lateralsclerosis, Sjogren's syndrome, early arthritis, viral arthritis,multiple sclerosis, or psoriasis. The diagnosis and treatment of thesediseases are well documented in the literature.

H. Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy and Cytokine Therapy Toxicity

Various forms of cancer therapy, including chemotherapy, radiation, andcytokines, are associated with toxicity, sometimes severe, in the cancerpatient. To the extent that the toxicity is caused at least in part bythe extracellular actions of histones, the present invention seeks toreduce this toxicity using the pharmaceutical compositions of thepresent invention, thereby reducing or alleviating discomfort on thepart of the patient, as well as permitting higher doses of the therapy.

I. Burns

In medicine, a burn may be an injury caused by heat, cold, electricity,chemicals, friction or radiation. First-degree burns are usually limitedto redness (erythema), a white plaque, and minor pain at the site ofinjury. These burns usually extend only into the epidermis.Second-degree burns additionally fill with clear fluid, have superficialblistering of the skin, and can involve more or less pain depending onthe level of nerve involvement. Second-degree burns involve thesuperficial (papillary) dermis and may also involve the deep (reticular)dermis layer. Third-degree burns additionally have charring of the skin,and produce hard, leather-like eschars. An eschar is a scab that hasseparated from the unaffected part of the body. Frequently, there isalso purple fluid. These types of burns are often painless, becausenerve endings have been destroyed in the burned areas. Serious burns,especially if they cover large areas of the body, can cause death; anyhint of burn injury to the lungs (e.g., through smoke inhalation) is amedical emergency.

Burns that injure the tissues underlying the skin, such as the musclesor bones, are sometimes categorized as fourth-degree burns. These burnsare broken down into three additional degrees: fourth-degree burnsresult in the skin being irretrievably lost, fifth-degree burns resultin muscle being irretrievably lost, and sixth-degree burns result inbone being charred.

A newer classification of “Superficial Thickness,” “Partial Thickness”(which is divided into superficial and deep categories) and “FullThickness” relates more precisely to the epidermis, dermis andsubcutaneous layers of skin and is used to guide treatment and predictoutcome.

Chemical burns are usually caused by chemical compounds, such as sodiumhydroxide (lye), silver nitrate, and more serious compounds (such assulfuric acid). Most chemicals (but not all) that can cause moderate tosevere chemical burns are strong acids or bases. Nitric acid, as anoxidizer, is possibly one of the worst burn-causing chemicals.Hydrofluoric acid can eat down to the bone and its burns are often notimmediately evident. Most chemicals that can cause moderate to severechemical burns are called caustic.

Electrical burns are generally symptoms of electric shock, being struckby lightning, being defibrillated or cardioverted without conductivegel, etc. The internal injuries sustained may be disproportionate to thesize of the “burns” seen—as these are only the entry and exit wounds ofthe electrical current.

Burns are assessed in terms of total body surface area (TBSA), which isthe percentage affected by partial thickness or full thickness burns(superficial thickness burns are not counted). The rule of nines is usedas a quick and useful way to estimate the affected TBSA. The first stepin managing a person with a burn is to stop the burning process. Withdry powder burns, the powder should be brushed off first. With otherburns, the affected area should be rinsed with a large amount of cleanwater to remove foreign bodies and help stop the burning process. Coldwater should never be applied to any person with extensive burns, as itmay severely compromise the burn victim's temperature status. At thisstage of management, it is also critical to assess the airway status. Ifthe patient was involved in a fire, then it must be assumed that he orshe has sustained inhalation injury until proven otherwise, andtreatment should be managed accordingly.

Once the burning process has been stopped, and airway status is ensured,the patient should be volume resuscitated according to the Parklandformula. This formula dictates that the amount of Lactated Ringer'ssolution to deliver in the first twenty four hours after time of injuryis:

fluid=4 cc×% TBSA×weight in kg

-   -   % TBSA excludes any first degree burn        Half of this fluid should be given in the first eight hours post        injury and the rest in the subsequent sixteen hours. The formula        is a guide only and infusions must be tailored to urine output        and central venous pressure. Inadequate fluid resuscitation        causes renal failure and death. Severe edema in full thickness        burns may be treated by escharotomy.

II. Histones

A. General Information

In biology, histones are the chief protein components of chromatin. Theyact as spools around which DNA winds, and they play a role in generegulation. Six major histone classes are known: H1 (sometimes calledthe linker histone; also related to Histone H5); H2A; H2B; H3; H4; andarchaeal histones. Two each of the class H2A, H2B, H3 and H4, so-calledcore histones, assemble to form one octameric nucleosome core particleby wrapping 146 base pairs of DNA around the protein spool in 1.65left-handed super-helical turn. The linker histone H1 binds thenucleosome and the entry and exit sites of the DNA, thus locking the DNAinto place and allowing the formation of higher order structure. Themost basic such formation is the 10 nm fiber or beads on a stringconformation. This involves the wrapping of DNA around nucleosomes withapproximately 50 base pairs of DNA spaced between each nucleosome (alsoreferred to as linker DNA). The assembled histones and DNA is calledchromatin. Higher order structures include the 30 nm fiber (forming anirregular zigzag) and 100 nm fiber, these being the structures found innormal cells. During mitosis and meiosis, the condensed chromosomes areassembled through interactions between nucleosomes and other regulatoryproteins.

The nucleosome core is formed of two H2A-H2B dimers and a H3-H4tetramer, forming two nearly symmetrical halves by tertiary structure(C2 symmetry; one macromolecule is the mirror image of the other). TheH2A-H2B dimers and H3-H4 tetramer also show pseudodyad symmetry. The 4core histones (H2A, H2B, H3 and H4) are relatively similar in structureand are highly conserved through evolution, all featuring a“helix-turn-helix-turn-helix” motif (which allows the easydimerization). They also share the feature of long tails on one end ofthe amino acid structure—this being the location of post-transcriptionalmodification.

In all, histones make five types of interactions with DNA: (a)helix-dipoles from alpha-helices in H2B, H3, and H4 cause a net positivecharge to accumulate at the point of interaction with negatively chargedphosphate groups on DNA; (b) hydrogen bonds between the DNA backbone andthe amine group on the main chain of histone proteins; (c) nonpolarinteractions between the histone and deoxyribose sugars on DNA; (d) saltlinks and hydrogen bonds between side chains of basic amino acids(especially lysine and arginine) and phosphate oxygens on DNA; andnon-specific minor groove insertions of the H3 and H2B N-terminal tailsinto two minor grooves each on the DNA molecule.

The highly basic nature of histones, aside from facilitating DNA-histoneinteractions, contributes to the water solubility of histones. Histonesare subject to post-translational modification by enzymes primarily ontheir N-terminal tails, but also in their globular domains. Suchmodifications include methylation, citrullination, acetylation,phosphorylation, sumoylation, ubiquitination, and ADP-ribosylation. Thisaffects their function of gene regulation.

In general, genes that are active have less bound histone, whileinactive genes are highly associated with histones during interphase. Italso appears that the structure of histones have been evolutionarilyconserved, as any deleterious mutations would be severely maladaptive.

As stated above, histones act as spools around which DNA winds. Thisenables the compaction necessary to fit the large genomes of eukaryotesinside cell nuclei: the compacted molecule is 50,000 times shorter thanan unpacked molecule Histones undergo posttranslational modificationswhich alter their interaction with DNA and nuclear proteins. The H3 andH4 histones have long tails protruding from the nucleosome which can becovalently modified at several places. Modifications of the tail includemethylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitination, sumoylation,citrullination, and ADP-ribosylation. The core of the histones (H2A andH3) can also be modified. Combinations of modifications are thought toconstitute a code, the so-called “histone code.” Histone modificationsact in diverse biological processes such as gene regulation, DNA repairand chromosome condensation (mitosis).

The common nomenclature of histone modifications is as follows: the nameof the histone (e.g., H3); the single letter amino acid abbreviation(e.g., K for Lysine) and the amino acid position in the protein; and thetype of modification (Me: methyl, P: phosphate, Ac: acetyl, Ub:ubiquitin). So H3K4Me denotes the methylation of H3 on the 4th lysinefrom the start (N-terminal) of the protein.

B. Histone Peptides

mRNA accession nos. for human histones, each of which are incorporatedherein by reference, are as follows: H1 (NM_005318), H2A (NM_001017990),H2B (XM_210048), H3 (A—NM_002107 and B—NM_005324) and H4 (X00038.1).

The present invention contemplates the use of peptides and fragments ofhistones for generation of antibodies and for use as therapeuticcompositions in the treatment of hyper-inflammatory disorders. Histonepeptides will comprise molecules of 4 to about 50 residues in length. Aparticular length may be less than 35 residues, less than 30 residues,less than 25 residues, less than 20 residues, less than 15 residues, orless than 13, including 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,19 or 20 residues. The peptides may be generated synthetically or byrecombinant techniques, and are purified according to known methods,such as precipitation (e.g., ammonium sulfate), HPLC, ion exchangechromatography, affinity chromatography (including immunoaffinitychromatography) or various size separations (sedimentation, gelelectrophoresis, gel filtration).

The peptides may be labeled using various molecules, such asfluorescent, chromogenic or colorimetric agents. The peptides may alsobe linked to other molecules, including other anti-inflammatory agents.The links may be direct or through distinct linker molecules. The linkermolecules in turn may be subject, in vivo, to cleavage, therebyreleasing the agent from the peptide. Peptides may also be renderedmultimeric by linking to larger, and possibly inert, carrier molecules.

It also is contemplated in the present invention that variants oranalogs of histone peptides may block histone cytotoxicity. Polypeptidesequence variants of histones, primarily making conservative amino acidsubstitutions, may provide improved compositions. Substitutionalvariants typically contain the exchange of one amino acid for another atone or more sites within the protein, and may be designed to modulateone or more properties of the polypeptide, such as stability againstproteolytic cleavage, without the loss of other functions or properties.Substitutions of this kind preferably are conservative, that is, oneamino acid is replaced with one of similar shape and charge.Conservative substitutions are well known in the art and include, forexample, the changes of: alanine to serine; arginine to lysine;asparagine to glutamine or histidine; aspartate to glutamate; cysteineto serine; glutamine to asparagine; glutamate to aspartate; glycine toproline; histidine to asparagine or glutamine; isoleucine to leucine orvaline; leucine to valine or isoleucine; lysine to arginine; methionineto leucine or isoleucine; phenylalanine to tyrosine, leucine ormethionine; serine to threonine; threonine to serine; tryptophan totyrosine; tyrosine to tryptophan or phenylalanine; and valine toisoleucine or leucine.

The following is a discussion based upon changing of the amino acids ofa peptide to create an equivalent, or even an improved,second-generation molecule. For example, certain amino acids may besubstituted for other amino acids in a protein structure withoutappreciable loss of interactive binding capacity with structures suchas, for example, antigen-binding regions of antibodies or binding siteson substrate molecules. Since it is the interactive capacity and natureof a peptide that defines that peptide's biological functional activity,certain amino acid substitutions can be made in a protein sequence, andits underlying DNA coding sequence, and nevertheless obtain a peptidewith like properties. It is thus contemplated by the inventors thatvarious changes may be made in the DNA sequences coding the peptidewithout appreciable loss of their biological utility or activity, asdiscussed below.

In making such changes, the hydropathic index of amino acids may beconsidered. The importance of the hydropathic amino acid index inconferring interactive biologic function on a protein is generallyunderstood in the art (Kyte and Doolittle, 1982). It is accepted thatthe relative hydropathic character of the amino acid contributes to thesecondary structure of the resultant peptide, which in turn defines theinteraction of the peptide with other molecules.

Each amino acid has been assigned a hydropathic index on the basis oftheir hydrophobicity and charge characteristics (Kyte and Doolittle,1982), these are: isoleucine (+4.5); valine (+4.2); leucine (+3.8);phenylalanine (+2.8); cysteine/cystine (+2.5); methionine (+1.9);alanine (+1.8); glycine (−0.4); threonine (−0.7); serine (−0.8);tryptophan (−0.9); tyrosine (−1.3); proline (−1.6); histidine (−3.2);glutamate (−3.5); glutamine (−3.5); aspartate (−3.5); asparagine (−3.5);lysine (−3.9); and arginine (−4.5).

It is known in the art that certain amino acids may be substituted byother amino acids having a similar hydropathic index or score and stillresult in a peptide with similar biological activity, i.e., still obtaina biological functionally equivalent protein. In making such changes,the substitution of amino acids whose hydropathic indices are within ±2is preferred, those which are within ±1 are particularly preferred, andthose within ±0.5 are even more particularly preferred.

It is also understood in the art that the substitution of like aminoacids can be made effectively on the basis of hydrophilicity. U.S. Pat.No. 4,554,101, incorporated herein by reference, states that thegreatest local average hydrophilicity of a protein, as governed by thehydrophilicity of its adjacent amino acids, correlates with a biologicalproperty of the protein. As detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,101, thefollowing hydrophilicity values have been assigned to amino acidresidues: arginine (+3.0); lysine (+3.0); aspartate (+3.0±1); glutamate(+3.0±1); serine (+0.3); asparagine (+0.2); glutamine (+0.2); glycine(0); threonine (−0.4); proline (−0.5±1); alanine (−0.5); histidine*−0.5); cysteine (−1.0); methionine (−1.3); valine (−1.5); leucine(−1.8); isoleucine (−1.8); tyrosine (−2.3); phenylalanine (−2.5);tryptophan (−3.4).

It is understood that an amino acid can be substituted for anotherhaving a similar hydrophilicity value and still obtain a biologicallyequivalent and immunologically equivalent protein. In such changes, thesubstitution of amino acids whose hydrophilicity values are within ±2 ispreferred, those that are within ±1 are particularly preferred, andthose within ±0.5 are even more particularly preferred.

As outlined above, amino acid substitutions are generally based on therelative similarity of the amino acid side-chain substituents, forexample, their hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, charge, size, and thelike. Exemplary substitutions that take various of the foregoingcharacteristics into consideration are well known to those of skill inthe art and include: arginine and lysine; glutamate and aspartate;serine and threonine; glutamine and asparagine; and valine, leucine andisoleucine.

Another embodiment for the preparation of polypeptides according to theinvention is the use of peptide mimetics. Mimetics are peptidecontaining molecules that mimic elements of protein secondary structure(Johnson et al, 1993). The underlying rationale behind the use ofpeptide mimetics is that the peptide backbone of proteins exists chieflyto orient amino acid side chains in such a way as to facilitatemolecular interactions, such as those of antibody and antigen. A peptidemimetic is expected to permit molecular interactions similar to thenatural molecule. These principles may be used, in conjunction with theprinciples outline above, to engineer second generation molecules havingmany of the natural properties of MBPs, but with altered and evenimproved characteristics.

The present invention also may employ peptides that comprise modified,non-natural and/or unusual amino acids. Table 1 provides exemplary, butnot limiting, modified, non-natural and/or unusual amino acids isprovided herein below. Chemical synthesis may be employed toincorporated such amino acids into the peptides of interest.

TABLE 1 Modified, Non-Natural and Unusual Amino Acids Abbr. Amino AcidAad 2-Aminoadipic acid BAad 3-Aminoadipic acid BAla beta-alanine,beta-Amino-propionic acid Abu 2-Aminobutyric acid 4Abu 4-Aminobutyricacid, piperidinic acid Acp 6-Aminocaproic acid Ahe 2-Aminoheptanoic acidAib 2-Aminoisobutyric acid BAib 3-Aminoisobutyric acid Apm2-Aminopimelic acid Dbu 2,4-Diaminobutyric acid Des Desmosine Dpm2,2′-Diaminopimelic acid Dpr 2,3-Diaminopropionic acid EtGlyN-Ethylglycine EtAsn N-Ethylasparagine Hyl Hydroxylysine AHylallo-Hydroxylysine 3Hyp 3-Hydroxyproline 4Hyp 4-Hydroxyproline IdeIsodesmosine Aile allo-Isoleucine MeGly N-Methylglycine, sarcosine MeIleN-Methylisoleucine MeLys 6-N-Methyllysine MeVal N-Methylvaline NvaNorvaline Nle Norleucine Orn Ornithine

In addition to the variants discussed above, the present inventors alsocontemplate that structurally similar compounds may be formulated tomimic the key portions of peptide or polypeptides of the presentinvention. Such compounds, which may be termed peptidomimetics, may beused in the same manner as the peptides of the invention and, hence,also are functional equivalents. Certain mimetics that mimic elements ofprotein secondary and tertiary structure are described in Johnson et al.(1993). The underlying rationale behind the use of peptide mimetics isthat the peptide backbone of proteins exists chiefly to orient aminoacid side chains in such a way as to facilitate molecular interactions,such as those of antibody and/or antigen. A peptide mimetic is thusdesigned to permit molecular interactions similar to the naturalmolecule.

Some successful applications of the peptide mimetic concept have focusedon mimetics of β-turns within proteins, which are known to be highlyantigenic. Likely β-turn structure within a polypeptide can be predictedby computer-based algorithms, as discussed herein. Once the componentamino acids of the turn are determined, mimetics can be constructed toachieve a similar spatial orientation of the essential elements of theamino acid side chains. Beta II turns have been mimicked successfullyusing cyclic L-pentapeptides and those with D-amino acids (Weisshoff etal., 1999). Also, Johannesson et al. (1999) report on bicyclictripeptides with reverse turn inducing properties.

Methods for generating specific structures have been disclosed in theart. For example, alpha-helix mimetics are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,446,128; 5,710,245; 5,840,833; and 5,859,184. Theses structures renderthe peptide or protein more thermally stable, also increase resistanceto proteolytic degradation. Six, seven, eleven, twelve, thirteen andfourteen membered ring structures are disclosed.

Methods for generating conformationally-restricted 13 turns and 13bulges are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,440,013;5,618,914; and 5,670,155. β-turns permit changed side substituentswithout having changes in corresponding backbone conformation, and haveappropriate termini for incorporation into peptides by standardsynthesis procedures. Other types of mimetic turns include reverse and yturns. Reverse turn mimetics are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,475,085and 5,929,237, and y turn mimetics are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,672,681 and 5,674,976.

C. Fusions

Another variant is a fusion. This molecule generally has all or asubstantial portion of the original molecule, in this case a peptidecomprising a histone sequence, linked at the N- or C-terminus to all ora portion of a second peptide or polypeptide. For example, fusions mayemploy leader sequences from other species to permit the recombinantexpression of a protein in a heterologous host. Another useful fusionincludes the addition of a immunologically active domain, such as anantibody epitope, to facilitate purification of the fusion protein.Inclusion of a cleavage site at or near the fusion junction willfacilitate removal of the extraneous polypeptide after purification.Other useful fusions include linking of functional domains, such asactive sites from enzymes, glycosylation domains, cellular targetingsignals or transmembrane regions.

D. Purification of Proteins

It may be desirable to purify peptides, fragments, peptide-mimics oranalogs thereof. Protein purification techniques are well known to thoseof skill in the art. These techniques involve, at one level, the crudefractionation of the cellular milieu to polypeptide and non-polypeptidefractions. Having separated the polypeptide from other proteins, thepolypeptide of interest may be further purified using chromatographicand electrophoretic techniques to achieve partial or completepurification (or purification to homogeneity). Analytical methodsparticularly suited to the preparation of a pure peptide areion-exchange chromatography, exclusion chromatography; polyacrylamidegel electrophoresis; isoelectric focusing. A particularly efficientmethod of purifying peptides is fast protein liquid chromatography oreven HPLC.

Certain aspects of the present invention concern the purification, andin particular embodiments, the substantial purification, of an encodedprotein or peptide. The term “purified protein or peptide” as usedherein, is intended to refer to a composition, isolatable from othercomponents, wherein the protein or peptide is purified to any degreerelative to its naturally-obtainable state. A purified protein orpeptide therefore also refers to a protein or peptide, free from theenvironment in which it may naturally occur.

Generally, “purified” will refer to a protein or peptide compositionthat has been subjected to fractionation to remove various othercomponents, and which composition substantially retains its expressedbiological activity. Where the term “substantially purified” is used,this designation will refer to a composition in which the protein orpeptide forms the major component of the composition, such asconstituting about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%,about 95% or more of the proteins in the composition.

Various methods for quantifying the degree of purification of theprotein or peptide will be known to those of skill in the art in lightof the present disclosure. These include, for example, determining thespecific activity of an active fraction, or assessing the amount ofpolypeptides within a fraction by SDS/PAGE analysis. A preferred methodfor assessing the purity of a fraction is to calculate the specificactivity of the fraction, to compare it to the specific activity of theinitial extract, and to thus calculate the degree of purity, hereinassessed by a “-fold purification number.” The actual units used torepresent the amount of activity will, of course, be dependent upon theparticular assay technique chosen to follow the purification and whetheror not the expressed protein or peptide exhibits a detectable activity.

Various techniques suitable for use in protein purification will be wellknown to those of skill in the art. These include, for example,precipitation with ammonium sulfate, PEG, antibodies and the like or byheat denaturation, followed by centrifugation; chromatography steps suchas ion exchange, gel filtration, reverse phase, hydroxylapatite andaffinity chromatography; isoelectric focusing; gel electrophoresis; andcombinations of such and other techniques. As is generally known in theart, it is believed that the order of conducting the variouspurification steps may be changed, or that certain steps may be omitted,and still result in a suitable method for the preparation of asubstantially purified protein or peptide.

There is no general requirement that the protein or peptide always beprovided in their most purified state. Indeed, it is contemplated thatless substantially purified products will have utility in certainembodiments. Partial purification may be accomplished by using fewerpurification steps in combination, or by utilizing different forms ofthe same general purification scheme. For example, it is appreciatedthat a cation-exchange column chromatography performed utilizing an HPLCapparatus will generally result in a greater “-fold” purification thanthe same technique utilizing a low pressure chromatography system.Methods exhibiting a lower degree of relative purification may haveadvantages in total recovery of protein product, or in maintaining theactivity of an expressed protein.

It is known that the migration of a polypeptide can vary, sometimessignificantly, with different conditions of SDS/PAGE (Capaldi et al.,1977). It will therefore be appreciated that under differingelectrophoresis conditions, the apparent molecular weights of purifiedor partially purified expression products may vary.

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is characterized by a veryrapid separation with extraordinary resolution of peaks. This isachieved by the use of very fine particles and high pressure to maintainan adequate flow rate. Separation can be accomplished in a matter ofminutes, or at most an hour. Moreover, only a very small volume of thesample is needed because the particles are so small and close-packedthat the void volume is a very small fraction of the bed volume. Also,the concentration of the sample need not be very great because the bandsare so narrow that there is very little dilution of the sample.

Gel chromatography, or molecular sieve chromatography, is a special typeof partition chromatography that is based on molecular size. The theorybehind gel chromatography is that the column, which is prepared withtiny particles of an inert substance that contain small pores, separateslarger molecules from smaller molecules as they pass through or aroundthe pores, depending on their size. As long as the material of which theparticles are made does not adsorb the molecules, the sole factordetermining rate of flow is the size. Hence, molecules are eluted fromthe column in decreasing size, so long as the shape is relativelyconstant. Gel chromatography is unsurpassed for separating molecules ofdifferent size because separation is independent of all other factorssuch as pH, ionic strength, temperature, etc. There also is virtually noadsorption, less zone spreading and the elution volume is related in asimple matter to molecular weight.

Affinity Chromatography is a chromatographic procedure that relies onthe specific affinity between a substance to be isolated and a moleculethat it can specifically bind to. This is a receptor-ligand typeinteraction. The column material is synthesized by covalently couplingone of the binding partners to an insoluble matrix. The column materialis then able to specifically adsorb the substance from the solution.Elution occurs by changing the conditions to those in which binding willnot occur (alter pH, ionic strength, temperature, etc.).

A particular type of affinity chromatography useful in the purificationof carbohydrate containing compounds is lectin affinity chromatography.Lectins are a class of substances that bind to a variety ofpolysaccharides and glycoproteins. Lectins are usually coupled toagarose by cyanogen bromide. Conconavalin A coupled to Sepharose was thefirst material of this sort to be used and has been widely used in theisolation of polysaccharides and glycoproteins other lectins that havebeen include lentil lectin, wheat germ agglutinin which has been usefulin the purification of N-acetyl glucosaminyl residues and Helix pomatialectin. Lectins themselves are purified using affinity chromatographywith carbohydrate ligands. Lactose has been used to purify lectins fromcastor bean and peanuts; maltose has been useful in extracting lectinsfrom lentils and jack bean; N-acetyl-D galactosamine is used forpurifying lectins from soybean; N-acetyl glucosaminyl binds to lectinsfrom wheat germ; D-galactosamine has been used in obtaining lectins fromclams and L-fucose will bind to lectins from lotus.

The matrix should be a substance that itself does not adsorb moleculesto any significant extent and that has a broad range of chemical,physical and thermal stability. The ligand should be coupled in such away as to not affect its binding properties. The ligand should alsoprovide relatively tight binding. And it should be possible to elute thesubstance without destroying the sample or the ligand. One of the mostcommon forms of affinity chromatography is immunoaffinitychromatography. The generation of antibodies that would be suitable foruse in accord with the present invention is discussed below.

E. Peptide Synthesis

Histone-related peptides may be generated synthetically for use invarious embodiments of the present invention. Because of theirrelatively small size, the peptides of the invention can be synthesizedin solution or on a solid support in accordance with conventionaltechniques. Various automatic synthesizers are commercially availableand can be used in accordance with known protocols. See, for example,Stewart & Young, (1984); Tam et al., (1983); Merrifield, (1986); Baranyand Merrifield (1979), each incorporated herein by reference. Shortpeptide sequences, or libraries of overlapping peptides, usually fromabout 6 up to about 35 to 50 amino acids, which correspond to theselected regions described herein, can be readily synthesized and thenscreened in screening assays designed to identify reactive peptides.Alternatively, recombinant DNA technology may be employed wherein anucleotide sequence which encodes a peptide of the invention is insertedinto an expression vector, transformed or transfected into anappropriate host cell and cultivated under conditions suitable forexpression.

III. Antibodies and Immunoassays

It will be understood that polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies that bindimmunologically to histones will have use in several applications. Theseinclude diagnostic kits and methods of detecting histones, as well astherapeutic intervention. Means for preparing and characterizingantibodies are well known in the art (see, e.g., Antibodies: ALaboratory Manual, 1988; incorporated herein by reference). The term“antibody” as used herein is used to refer to any antibody-like moleculethat has an antigen binding region, and includes antibody fragments suchas Fab′, Fab, F(ab′)2, single domain antibodies (DAB's), Fv, scFv(single-chain Fv), and the like.

A. Polyclonal Antisera

Polyclonal antisera is prepared by immunizing an animal with animmunogenic composition in accordance with the present invention andcollecting antisera from that immunized animal. A wide range of animalspecies can be used for the production of antisera. Typically the animalused for production of anti-antisera is a rabbit, a mouse, a rat, ahamster, a guinea pig or a goat. Because of the relatively large bloodvolume of rabbits, a rabbit is a preferred choice for production ofpolyclonal antibodies.

As is well known in the art, a given composition may vary in itsimmunogenicity. It is often necessary therefore to boost the host immunesystem, as may be achieved by coupling a peptide or polypeptideimmunogen to a carrier. Exemplary and preferred carriers are keyholelimpet hemocyanin (KLH) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). Other albuminssuch as ovalbumin, mouse serum albumin or rabbit serum albumin can alsobe used as carriers. Means for conjugating a polypeptide to a carrierprotein are well known in the art and include glutaraldehyde,m-maleimidobencoyl-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester, carbodiimyde andbis-biazotized benzidine.

As also is well known in the art, the immunogenicity of a particularimmunogen composition can be enhanced by the use of non-specificstimulators of the immune response, known as adjuvants. Exemplary andpreferred adjuvants include complete Freund's adjuvant (a non-specificstimulator of the immune response containing killed Mycobacteriumtuberculosis), incomplete Freund's adjuvants and aluminum hydroxideadjuvant.

The amount of immunogen composition used in the production of polyclonalantibodies varies upon the nature of the immunogen as well as the animalused for immunization. A variety of routes can be used to administer theimmunogen (subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermal, intravenous andintraperitoneal). The production of polyclonal antibodies may bemonitored by sampling blood of the immunized animal at various pointsfollowing immunization.

A second, booster injection, also may be given. The process of boostingand titering is repeated until a suitable titer is achieved. When adesired level of immunogenicity is obtained, the immunized animal can bebled and the serum isolated and stored, or the animal can be used togenerate mAbs (below).

For production of rabbit polyclonal antibodies, the animal can be bledthrough an ear vein or alternatively by cardiac puncture. The procuredblood is allowed to coagulate and then centrifuged to separate serumcomponents from whole cells and blood clots. The serum may be used as isfor various applications or else the desired antibody fraction may bepurified by well-known methods, such as affinity chromatography usinganother antibody or a peptide bound to a solid matrix or protein Afollowed by antigen (peptide) affinity column for purification.

B. Monoclonal Antibodies

mAbs may be readily prepared through use of well-known techniques, suchas those exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,265, incorporated herein byreference. Typically, this technique involves immunizing a suitableanimal with a selected immunogen composition, e.g., a purified orpartially purified histones, fragments or peptides therefrom. Theimmunizing composition is administered in a manner effective tostimulate antibody producing cells.

The methods for generating monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) generally beginalong the same lines as those for preparing polyclonal antibodies.Rodents such as mice and rats are preferred animals, however, the use ofrabbit, sheep, goat, monkey cells also is possible. The use of rats mayprovide certain advantages (Goding, 1986, pp. 60-61), but mice arepreferred, with the BALB/c mouse being most preferred as this is mostroutinely used and generally gives a higher percentage of stablefusions.

The animals are injected with antigen, generally as described above. Theantigen may be coupled to carrier molecules such as keyhole limpethemocyanin if necessary. The antigen would typically be mixed withadjuvant, such as Freund's complete or incomplete adjuvant. Boosterinjections with the same antigen would occur at approximately two-weekintervals.

Following immunization, somatic cells with the potential for producingantibodies, specifically B lymphocytes (B cells), are selected for usein the MAb generating protocol. These cells may be obtained frombiopsied spleens or lymph nodes. Spleen cells and lymph node cells arepreferred, the former because they are a rich source ofantibody-producing cells that are in the dividing plasmablast stage.

Often, a panel of animals will have been immunized and the spleen ofanimal with the highest antibody titer will be removed and the spleenlymphocytes obtained by homogenizing the spleen with a syringe.Typically, a spleen from an immunized mouse contains approximately 5×10⁷to 2×10⁸ lymphocytes.

The antibody-producing B lymphocytes from the immunized animal are thenfused with cells of an immortal myeloma cell, generally one of the samespecies as the animal that was immunized. Myeloma cell lines suited foruse in hybridoma-producing fusion procedures preferably arenon-antibody-producing, have high fusion efficiency, and enzymedeficiencies that render then incapable of growing in certain selectivemedia which support the growth of only the desired fused cells(hybridomas).

Any one of a number of myeloma cells may be used, as are known to thoseof skill in the art (Goding, pp. 65-66, 1986; Campbell, pp. 75-83, 1984;each incorporated herein by reference). For example, where the immunizedanimal is a mouse, one may use P3-X63/Ag8, X63-Ag8.653, NS1/1.Ag 4 1,Sp210-Ag14, FO, NSO/U, MPC-11, MPC11-X45-GTG 1.7 and 5194/5XX0 Bul; forrats, one may use R210.RCY3, Y3-Ag 1.2.3, IR983F and 4B210; and U-266,GM1500-GRG2, LICR-LON-HMy2 and UC729-6 are all useful in connection withhuman cell fusions. One particular murine myeloma cell is the NS-1myeloma cell line (also termed P3-NS-1-Ag4-1), which is readilyavailable from the NIGMS Human Genetic Mutant Cell Repository byrequesting cell line repository number GM3573. Another mouse myelomacell line that may be used is the 8-azaguanine-resistant mouse murinemyeloma SP2/0 non-producer cell line.

Methods for generating hybrids of antibody-producing spleen or lymphnode cells and myeloma cells usually comprise mixing somatic cells withmyeloma cells in a 2:1 proportion, though the proportion may vary fromabout 20:1 to about 1:1, respectively, in the presence of an agent oragents (chemical or electrical) that promote the fusion of cellmembranes. Fusion methods using Sendai virus have been described byKohler and Milstein (1975; 1976), and those using polyethylene glycol(PEG), such as 37% (v/v) PEG, by Gefter et al. (1977). The use ofelectrically induced fusion methods also is appropriate (Goding pp.71-74, 1986).

Fusion procedures usually produce viable hybrids at low frequencies,about 1×10⁻⁶ to 1×10⁻⁸. However, this does not pose a problem, as theviable, fused hybrids are differentiated from the parental, infusedcells (particularly the infused myeloma cells that would normallycontinue to divide indefinitely) by culturing in a selective medium. Theselective medium is generally one that contains an agent that blocks thede novo synthesis of nucleotides in the tissue culture media. Exemplaryand preferred agents are aminopterin, methotrexate, and azaserine.Aminopterin and methotrexate block de novo synthesis of both purines andpyrimidines, whereas azaserine blocks only purine synthesis. Whereaminopterin or methotrexate is used, the media is supplemented withhypoxanthine and thymidine as a source of nucleotides (HAT medium).Where azaserine is used, the media is supplemented with hypoxanthine.

A particular selection medium is HAT. Only cells capable of operatingnucleotide salvage pathways are able to survive in HAT medium. Themyeloma cells are defective in key enzymes of the salvage pathway, e.g.,hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT), and they cannot survive.The B cells can operate this pathway, but they have a limited life spanin culture and generally die within about two weeks. Therefore, the onlycells that can survive in the selective media are those hybrids formedfrom myeloma and B cells.

This culturing provides a population of hybridomas from which specifichybridomas are selected. Typically, selection of hybridomas is performedby culturing the cells by single-clone dilution in microtiter plates,followed by testing the individual clonal supernatants (after about twoto three weeks) for the desired reactivity. The assay should besensitive, simple and rapid, such as radioimmunoassays, enzymeimmunoassays, cytotoxicity assays, plaque assays, dot immunobindingassays, and the like. The selected hybridomas would then be seriallydiluted and cloned into individual antibody-producing cell lines, whichclones can then be propagated indefinitely to provide mAbs. The celllines may be exploited for mAb production in two basic ways.

A sample of the hybridoma can be injected (often into the peritonealcavity) into a histocompatible animal of the type that was used toprovide the somatic and myeloma cells for the original fusion (e.g., asyngeneic mouse). Optionally, the animals are primed with a hydrocarbon,especially oils such as pristane (tetramethylpentadecane) prior toinjection. The injected animal develops tumors secreting the specificmonoclonal antibody produced by the fused cell hybrid. The body fluidsof the animal, such as serum or ascites fluid, can then be tapped toprovide mAbs in high concentration.

The individual cell lines could also be cultured in vitro, where themAbs are naturally secreted into the culture medium from which they canbe readily obtained in high concentrations. mAbs produced by eithermeans may be further purified, if desired, using filtration,centrifugation and various chromatographic methods such as HPLC oraffinity chromatography. Fragments of the monoclonal antibodies of theinvention can be obtained from the purified monoclonal antibodies bymethods which include digestion with enzymes, such as pepsin or papain,and/or by cleavage of disulfide bonds by chemical reduction.Alternatively, monoclonal antibody fragments encompassed by the presentinvention can be synthesized using an automated peptide synthesizer.

It also is contemplated that a molecular cloning approach may be used togenerate monoclonals. For this, combinatorial immunoglobulin phagemidlibraries are prepared from RNA isolated from the spleen of theimmunized animal, and phagemids expressing appropriate antibodies areselected by panning using cells expressing the antigen and control cellse.g., normal-versus-tumor cells. The advantages of this approach overconventional hybridoma techniques are that approximately 10⁴ times asmany antibodies can be produced and screened in a single round, and thatnew specificities are generated by H and L chain combination whichfurther increases the chance of finding appropriate antibodies.

C. Immunoassays

The present invention thus concerns immunodetection methods for binding,quantifying or otherwise generally detecting histones. The steps ofvarious useful immunodetection methods have been described in thescientific literature, such as, e.g., Nakamura et al. (1987);incorporated herein by reference. Immunoassays, in their most simple anddirect sense, are binding assays. Certain preferred immunoassays are thevarious types of enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs),radioimmunoassays (MA) and immunobead capture assay. However, it will bereadily appreciated that detection is not limited to such techniques,and Western blotting, dot blotting, and the like also may be used inconnection with the present invention.

In general, immunobinding methods include obtaining a sample suspectedof containing a histone, fragment or peptide, and contacting the sample(such as blood, serum or plasma) with an antibody or protein or peptidein accordance with the present invention, as the case may be, underconditions effective to allow the formation of immunocomplexes.

The immunobinding methods of this invention include methods fordetecting or quantifying the amount of a reactive component in a sample,which methods require the detection or quantitation of any immunecomplexes formed during the binding process. Here, one would obtain asample suspected of containing extracellular histone, and contact thesample with an antibody, and then detect or quantify the amount ofimmune complexes formed under the specific conditions.

Contacting the chosen biological sample with the antibody or antiseraunder conditions effective and for a period of time sufficient to allowthe formation of immune complexes (primary immune complexes) isgenerally a matter of simply adding the composition to the sample andincubating the mixture for a period of time long enough for theantibodies to form immune complexes with extracellular histones. Afterthis time, the sample-antibody composition will generally be washed toremove any non-specifically bound antibody species, allowing only thoseantibodies specifically bound within the primary immune complexes to bedetected.

In general, the detection of immunocomplex formation is well known inthe art and may be achieved through the application of numerousapproaches. These methods are generally based upon the detection of alabel or marker, such as any radioactive, fluorescent, biological orenzymatic tags or labels of standard use in the art. U.S. patentsconcerning the use of such labels include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,817,837;3,850,752; 3,939,350; 3,996,345; 4,277,437; 4,275,149 and 4,366,241,each incorporated herein by reference.

In certain embodiments, the first added component that becomes boundwithin the primary immune complexes may be detected by means of a secondbinding ligand that has binding affinity for the encoded protein,peptide or corresponding antibody. In these cases, the second bindingligand may be linked to a detectable label. The second binding ligand isitself often an antibody, which may thus be termed a “secondary”antibody. The primary immune complexes are contacted with the labeled,secondary binding ligand, or antibody, under conditions effective andfor a period of time sufficient to allow the formation of secondaryimmune complexes. The secondary immune complexes are then generallywashed to remove any non-specifically bound labeled secondary antibodiesor ligands, and the remaining label in the secondary immune complexes isthen detected.

Further methods include the detection of primary immune complexes by atwo step approach. A second binding ligand, such as an antibody, thathas binding affinity for the encoded protein, peptide or correspondingantibody is used to form secondary immune complexes, as described above.After washing, the secondary immune complexes are contacted with a thirdbinding ligand or antibody that has binding affinity for the secondantibody, again under conditions effective and for a period of timesufficient to allow the formation of immune complexes (tertiary immunecomplexes). The third ligand or antibody is linked to a detectablelabel, allowing detection of the tertiary immune complexes thus formed.This system may provide for signal amplification if this is desired.

Of particular interest in the present invention are enzyme linkedimmunosorbent assays, known as ELISAs. In one exemplary ELISA,antibodies binding to the encoded proteins of the invention areimmobilized onto a selected surface exhibiting protein affinity, such asa well in a polystyrene microtiter plate. Then, a test compositionsuspected of containing the extracellular histones is added to thewells. After binding and washing to remove non-specifically boundimmunocomplexes, the bound antigen may be detected.

Detection is generally achieved by the addition of a second antibodyspecific for the target protein, that is linked to a detectable label.This type of ELISA is a simple “sandwich ELISA.” Detection also may beachieved by the addition of a second antibody, followed by the additionof a third antibody that has binding affinity for the second antibody,with the third antibody being linked to a detectable label.

In another exemplary ELISA, the samples suspected of containing theextracellular histones are immobilized onto the well surface and thencontacted with the antibodies of the invention. After binding andwashing to remove non-specifically bound immune complexes, the boundantibody is detected. Where the initial antibodies are linked to adetectable label, the immune complexes may be detected directly. Again,the immune complexes may be detected using a second antibody that hasbinding affinity for the first antibody, with the second antibody beinglinked to a detectable label.

Another ELISA in which the extracellular histones are immobilized,involves the use of antibody competition in the detection. In thisELISA, labeled antibodies are added to the wells, allowed to bind to theextracellular histones and detected by means of their label. The amountof marker antigen in an unknown sample is then determined by mixing thesample with the labeled antibodies before or during incubation withcoated wells. The presence of marker antigen in the sample acts toreduce the amount of antibody available for binding to the well and thusreduces the ultimate signal. This is appropriate for detectingantibodies in an unknown sample, where the unlabeled antibodies bind tothe antigen-coated wells and also reduces the amount of antigenavailable to bind the labeled antibodies.

Irrespective of the format employed, ELISAs have certain features incommon, such as coating, incubating or binding, washing to removenon-specifically bound species, and detecting the bound immunecomplexes. For example, in coating a plate with either antigen orantibody, one will generally incubate the wells of the plate with asolution of the antigen or antibody, either overnight or for a specifiedperiod of hours. The wells of the plate will then be washed to removeincompletely adsorbed material. Any remaining available surfaces of thewells are then “coated” with a nonspecific protein that is antigenicallyneutral with regard to the test antisera. These include bovine serumalbumin (BSA), casein and solutions of milk powder. The coating allowsfor blocking of nonspecific adsorption sites on the immobilizing surfaceand thus reduces the background caused by nonspecific binding ofantisera onto the surface.

In ELISAs, it is more customary to use a secondary or tertiary detectionmeans rather than a direct procedure. Thus, after binding of a proteinor antibody to the well, coating with a non-reactive material to reducebackground, and washing to remove unbound material, the immobilizingsurface is contacted with a control and sample to be tested underconditions effective to allow immune complex (antigen/antibody)formation. Detection of the immune complex then requires a labeledsecondary binding ligand or antibody, or a secondary binding ligand orantibody in conjunction with a labeled tertiary antibody or thirdbinding ligand.

“Under conditions effective to allow immune complex (antigen/antibody)formation” means that the conditions preferably include diluting theantigens and antibodies with solutions such as BSA, bovine gammaglobulin (BGG) and phosphate buffered saline (PBS)/Tween. These addedagents also tend to assist in the reduction of nonspecific background.

The “suitable” conditions also mean that the incubation is at atemperature and for a period of time sufficient to allow effectivebinding. Incubation steps are typically from about 1 to 2 to 4 hrs, attemperatures preferably on the order of 25° C. to 27° C., or may beovernight at about 4° C. or so.

Following all incubation steps in an ELISA, the contacted surface iswashed so as to remove non-complexed material. A preferred washingprocedure includes washing with a solution such as PBS/Tween, or boratebuffer. Following the formation of specific immune complexes between thetest sample and the originally bound material, and subsequent washing,the occurrence of even minute amounts of immune complexes may bedetermined.

To provide a detecting means, the second or third antibody will have anassociated label to allow detection. Preferably, this will be an enzymethat will generate color development upon incubating with an appropriatechromogenic substrate. Thus, for example, one will desire to contact andincubate the first or second immune complex with a urease, glucoseoxidase, alkaline phosphatase or hydrogen peroxidase-conjugated antibodyfor a period of time and under conditions that favor the development offurther immune complex formation (e.g., incubation for 2 hrs at roomtemperature in a PBS-containing solution such as PBS-Tween).

After incubation with the labeled antibody, and subsequent to washing toremove unbound material, the amount of label is quantified, e.g., byincubation with a chromogenic substrate such as urea and bromocresolpurple or 2,2′-azido-di-3-ethyl-benzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS)and H₂O₂, in the case of peroxidase as the enzyme label. Quantitation isthen achieved by measuring the degree of color generation, e.g., using avisible spectra spectrophotometer.

IV. Diagnosis and Therapy

In certain aspects, the present invention relates to the diagnosis andtreatment of hyper-inflammatory disorders that have as a component theproduction of cytotoxic amounts of extracellular histones. By usingagents that cleave, bind and block the function of the extracellularhistones, the inventors seek to reduce and inhibit the toxic effects ofthese molecules. In addition, the presence of such extracellularhistones, alone or in conjunction with other diagnostic features, mayidentify subjects at risk of developing life-threateninghyper-inflammatory reactions. Thus, assays to detect extracellularhistones in samples, such as blood, plasma and serum, also are proposed.

A. Diagnosis/Prognosis

In one aspect, the present invention will entail obtaining a biologicalsample from a patient at risk of or suspected of having ahyper-inflammatory condition involving extracellular histone productionand toxicity. Biological samples will typically entail blood, plasma orserum, but other fluids such as saliva, sputum, and urine may beutilized. Employing the immunological assays described above, or othertechniques (e.g., mass spectrometry such as MALDI-TOF), the histonecontent of the sample is assessed, with elevated levels of histonesbeing indicative of a hyper-inflammatory disorder. The subject may thenbe treated, as discussed below, or simply monitored for furtherprogression or recovery.

B. Therapies

The present invention contemplates the use of inhibitors ofextracellular histone cytotoxicity to treat a variety ofhyper-inflammatory disease states specified above. The inventorscontemplate the use fragments/peptides from histones, particularlyhistones H3 and H4, as well as enzymes that cleave histones (APC,granzymes A & B), and antibodies to histones. Also contemplated aremixtures of these agents, including (a) at least one histone peptide, atleast one anti-histone antibody, (b) multiple histone peptides, (c)multiple histone antibodies, and (d) a histone-cleaving enzyme and atleast one histone peptide/and or anti-histone antibody. Of particularinterest are peptides and antibodies that target H4, such as an H4peptide representing residues 50-67 of H4 (SEQ ID NO: 19).

Treatment regimens will vary depending on the severity and type ofdisease, the overall health and age of the patient, and various otherconditions to be taken into account by the treating physician. Multipledoses or treatments may be applied, as well as “continuous” therapywhere a small amount of the therapeutic agent is provided continuallyover an extended period of time. The agent may also be provided in asingle bolus administration, but is formulated to provided delayed,timed or extended release of the active form.

In addition, combinations of an inhibitor of extracellular histonecytotoxicity with other treatments may be used by administration of asingle composition or pharmacological formulation that includes bothmultiple agents, or by administering two distinct compositions orformulations, at the same time. Alternatively, one treatment may precedeor follow administration of the other by intervals ranging from minutesto weeks. In embodiments where the two agents are applied separately,one would generally ensure that a significant period of time did notexpire between the time of each delivery, such that both agents wouldstill be able to exert an advantageously combined effect. In suchinstances, it is contemplated that one would typically administer bothmodalities within about 12-24 hours of each other and, more preferably,within about 6-12 hours of each other, with a delay time of only about12 hours being most preferred. In some situations, it may be desirableto extend the time period for treatment significantly, however, whereseveral days (2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7) to several weeks (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7or 8) lapse between the respective administrations. It also isconceivable that more than one administration of a drug will be desired.

By way of illustration, the following permutations based on 3 and 4total administrations are exemplary, where A represents a firstinhibitor of extracellular histone cytotoxicity and B represents asecond drug (including a second inhibitor of extracellular histonecytotoxicity):

A/B/A B/A/B B/B/A A/A/B B/A/A A/B/B B/B/B/AB/B/A/B A/A/B/B A/B/A/B A/B/B/A B/B/A/A B/A/B/AB/A/A/B B/B/B/A A/A/A/B B/A/A/A A/B/A/A A/A/B/A A/B/B/B B/A/B/B B/B/A/BOther combinations are likewise contemplated.

C. Pharmaceutical Formulations and Routes for Administration to Patients

Where clinical applications are contemplated, pharmaceuticalcompositions including histone peptides, fragments and anti-histoneantibodies, and mixtures thereof, will be prepared in a form appropriatefor the intended application. Generally, this will entail preparingcompositions that are essentially free of pyrogens, as well as otherimpurities that could be harmful to humans or animals.

One will generally desire to employ appropriate salts and buffers torender delivery vectors stable and allow for uptake by target cells.Buffers also will be employed when recombinant cells are introduced intoa patient. Aqueous compositions of the present invention comprise aneffective amount of the vector or cells, dissolved or dispersed in apharmaceutically acceptable carrier or aqueous medium. The phrase“pharmaceutically or pharmacologically acceptable” refer to molecularentities and compositions that do not produce adverse, allergic, orother untoward reactions when administered to an animal or a human. Asused herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes solvents,buffers, solutions, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial andantifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents and the likeacceptable for use in formulating pharmaceuticals, such aspharmaceuticals suitable for administration to humans. The use of suchmedia and agents for pharmaceutically active substances is well known inthe art. Except insofar as any conventional media or agent isincompatible with the active ingredients of the present invention, itsuse in therapeutic compositions is contemplated. Supplementary activeingredients also can be incorporated into the compositions, providedthey do not inactivate the vectors or cells of the compositions.

The active compositions of the present invention may include classicpharmaceutical preparations. Administration of these compositionsaccording to the present invention may be via any common route so longas the target tissue is available via that route. This includes oral,nasal, or buccal. Alternatively, administration may be by intradermal,subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal or intravenous injection.Such compositions would normally be administered as pharmaceuticallyacceptable compositions, as described supra.

The active compounds may also be administered parenterally orintraperitoneally. By way of illustration, solutions of the activecompounds as free base or pharmacologically acceptable salts can beprepared in water suitably mixed with a surfactant, such ashydroxypropylcellulose. Dispersions can also be prepared in glycerol,liquid polyethylene glycols, and mixtures thereof and in oils. Underordinary conditions of storage and use, these preparations generallycontain a preservative to prevent the growth of microorganisms.

The pharmaceutical forms suitable for injectable use include, forexample, sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions and sterile powdersfor the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions ordispersions. Generally, these preparations are sterile and fluid to theextent that easy injectability exists. Preparations should be stableunder the conditions of manufacture and storage and should be preservedagainst the contaminating action of microorganisms, such as bacteria andfungi. Appropriate solvents or dispersion media may contain, forexample, water, ethanol, polyol (for example, glycerol, propyleneglycol, and liquid polyethylene glycol, and the like), suitable mixturesthereof, and vegetable oils. The proper fluidity can be maintained, forexample, by the use of a coating, such as lecithin, by the maintenanceof the required particle size in the case of dispersion and by the useof surfactants. The prevention of the action of microorganisms can bebrought about by various antibacterial an antifungal agents, forexample, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid, thimerosal, andthe like. In many cases, it will be preferable to include isotonicagents, for example, sugars or sodium chloride. Prolonged absorption ofthe injectable compositions can be brought about by the use in thecompositions of agents delaying absorption, for example, aluminummonostearate and gelatin.

Sterile injectable solutions may be prepared by incorporating the activecompounds in an appropriate amount into a solvent along with any otheringredients (for example as enumerated above) as desired, followed byfiltered sterilization. Generally, dispersions are prepared byincorporating the various sterilized active ingredients into a sterilevehicle which contains the basic dispersion medium and the desired otheringredients, e.g., as enumerated above. In the case of sterile powdersfor the preparation of sterile injectable solutions, the preferredmethods of preparation include vacuum-drying and freeze-dryingtechniques which yield a powder of the active ingredient(s) plus anyadditional desired ingredient from a previously sterile-filteredsolution thereof.

The compositions of the present invention generally may be formulated ina neutral or salt form. Pharmaceutically-acceptable salts include, forexample, acid addition salts (formed with the free amino groups of theprotein) derived from inorganic acids (e.g., hydrochloric or phosphoricacids, or from organic acids (e.g., acetic, oxalic, tartaric, mandelic,and the like. Salts formed with the free carboxyl groups of the proteincan also be derived from inorganic bases (e.g., sodium, potassium,ammonium, calcium, or ferric hydroxides) or from organic bases (e.g.,isopropylamine, trimethylamine, histidine, procaine and the like.

Upon formulation, solutions are preferably administered in a mannercompatible with the dosage formulation and in such amount as istherapeutically effective. The formulations may easily be administeredin a variety of dosage forms such as injectable solutions, drug releasecapsules and the like. For parenteral administration in an aqueoussolution, for example, the solution generally is suitably buffered andthe liquid diluent first rendered isotonic for example with sufficientsaline or glucose. Such aqueous solutions may be used, for example, forintravenous, intraarterial, intramuscular, subcutaneous andintraperitoneal administration. Preferably, sterile aqueous media areemployed as is known to those of skill in the art, particularly in lightof the present disclosure. By way of illustration, a single dose may bedissolved in 1 ml of isotonic NaCl solution and either added to 1000 mlof hypodermoclysis fluid or injected at the proposed site of infusion,(see for example, “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences” 15th Edition,pages 1035-1038 and 1570-1580). Some variation in dosage willnecessarily occur depending on the condition of the subject beingtreated. The person responsible for administration will, in any event,determine the appropriate dose for the individual subject. Moreover, forhuman administration, preparations should meet sterility, pyrogenicity,general safety and purity standards as required by FDA Office ofBiologics standards.

V. Examples

The following examples are included to demonstrate preferred embodimentsof the invention. It should be appreciated by those of skill in the artthat the techniques disclosed in the examples which follow representtechniques discovered by the inventor to function well in the practiceof the invention, and thus can be considered to constitute preferredmodes for its practice. However, those of skill in the art should, inlight of the present disclosure, appreciate that many changes can bemade in the specific embodiments which are disclosed and still obtain alike or similar result without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

Example 1—Materials & Methods

Materials. Mouse protein C, bovine factor V, X and thrombin, ratanti-mouse EPCR (MEPCR1560) and mouse TM (MTM1703) were produced in thislaboratory according to the standard procedures. Human recombinant APC(Xigris) was purchased from Eli Lilly. Calf thymus histones (Sigma),calf thymus histone H4 (Roche), LPS from Salmonella typhimurium (Sigma),mouse recombinant IFN (Biosource), synthetic histone H4 peptides(GenScript), E. coli M15 strain (Qiagen) were also purchased. E. coli B7strain was provided by Dr. F. B. Taylor.

Animals.

Six to 10-week male C57BL/6 mice (Jackson Lab) were used according to ananimal protocol approved by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committeesof the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.

Mouse Peritoneal Macrophage.

Mice were injected intraperitoneally with 2 ml 3% thioglycollate medium.Four days later peritoneal exudate cells were harvested by lavage with10 ml cold HBSS containing 10 U/ml heparin. Peritoneal cells were washedonce and resuspended in RPMI 1640 medium containing 10% fetal bovineserum (FBS), plated in 24-well plate and non-adherent cells were washedout after 2 hr cell culture. The adherent peritoneal macrophages werestimulated with 1 μg/ml LPS, 20 ng/ml mouse IFN or both for 24 hr. Therewere 0.8-1.0×10⁶ cells/well with or without these treatments.

Cell Culture.

Mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7 cells were cultured in RPMI 1640medium supplemented with 10% FBS. Human endothelial EA.hy926 cells werecultured in DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS and HAT (hypoxanthine,aminopterin, thymidine).

Real Time PCR to Quantitate EPCR and TM mRNA Expression.

Total RNA was isolated from mouse tissue using TRIzol reagent(Invitrogen). cDNA was synthesized from total RNA by SuperScriptFirst-Strand Synthesis System (Invitrogen). Real time PCR was carriedout with SYBR Green PCR Core Reagents, ABI Prism 7000 Sequence DetectionSystem (Applied Biosystems) and the following primers:

β-Actin: Forward: TGAGAGGGAAATCGTGCGTGAC (SEQ ID NO: 1) Reverse:GAGGAAGAGGATGCGGCAGTG (SEQ ID NO: 2) EPCR: Forward:CAGTTCGAAAGCCTGGTGAAG (SEQ ID NO: 3) Reverse: GCAGCTAACAGTGAGAGGAAAGAA(SEQ ID NO: 4) TM: Forward: GAAACTTCCCTGGCTCCTATGA (SEQ ID NO: 5)Reverse: AGTCTTTGCTAATCTGACCAGCAA (SEQ ID NO: 6)Relative EPCR or TM mRNA expression level from each sample wasdetermined after normalized with its β-Actin mRNA.

Immunoprecipitation and Western Blot of EPCR.

Mouse organ tissue was homogenized by extraction buffer (0.25 M sucrose,20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, 1% Triton X-100) plus protease inhibitorcocktail (Roche) with PowerGen Homogenizer (Fisher Scientific),centrifuged at 16,000 g for 20 min at 4° C. The supernatant diluted to10 mg protein in 1 ml with extraction buffer was immunoprecipited forEPCR by mixing with RMEPCR1560 Ab and Protein G Sepharose 4 fast flowresin (Amersham Biosciences) for 2 hr at 4° C. The immunoprecipitate waswashed three times with cold TBS containing 0.1% Triton X-100,dissociated from Protein G resin after 5 min boiling with SDS-PAGEloading buffer, separated by SDS-PAGE, and Western blotted with biotinlabeled RMEPCR1543 Ab, streptavidin-HRP and ECL system (AmershamBiosciences).

EPCR and TM Surface Expression Determined by Flow Cytometry.

Mouse peritoneal macrophages were stained with 10 μg/ml biotinylatedMEPCR 1560 for mouse EPCR, biotinylated MTM 1703 for TM in the presenceof 10 μg/ml anti-mouse CD16/32 in PBS containing 2% FBS, 0.1% NaN3buffer for 30 min on ice, washed, and stained with 2 μg/mlPE-streptavidin for 30 min on ice, washed again and subjected to flowcytometry.

Protein C Activation on Mouse Macrophage.

Mouse peritoneal macrophages in 24-well plates were washed once with PBSand then added 0.2 ml DMEM containing 0.1% BSA, 10 nM bovine thrombinand 100 nM mouse protein C in the presence or absence of 200 nMMEPCR1560 mAb. After 30 min at 37° C., 50 μl supernatant was transferredto the 96 well microplate and mixed with 5 μl hirudin (5 mg/ml). Theamidolytic activities of APC were measured with V_(max) at 405 nm byadding 50 μl of 0.4 mM Spectrozyme Pca substrate in 0.1 M NaCl, 50 mMHEPES-HCl, pH 7.5 buffer. APC concentrations were determined byreference to a standard curve for purified mouse APC. For prothrombinand protein C activation assay, 200 nM bovine prothrombin, 3 nM bovinefactor V and 85 nM bovine factor X were used instead of 10 nM bovinethrombin. Thrombin activities were determined by its amidolytic activitytoward Spectrozyme thrombin substrate.

Western Blot of Histone 114 from Stimulated Macrophage ConditionedMedium.

RAW264.7 cells were stimulated with 1 μg/ml LPS and 20 ng/ml IFN for 24hr, washed with PBS, and cultured in Opti-MEM medium (Invitrogen) withor without 100 nM human APC for 24 hr. The conditioned medium wasfiltered through a 0.22 μm filter and concentrated 80 fold with anAmicon Ultra 10,000 (Millipore). Concentrated conditioned medium wassubject to SDS-PAGE and Western blotted with mouse monoclonal antibodyagainst histone H4 (BWA-3).

Histone 114 Cleavage Sites Generated by APC.

0.1 mg/ml histone H4 was incubated with 20 μg/ml human APC in PBScontaining 1 mM CaCl₂ and MgCl₂ at 37° C. for 60 min. Sample wassubjected to SDS-PAGE and GelCode Blue (PIERCE) staining or sent tomatrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight facility atthe University of Oklahoma Health Science Center for molecular weightdetermination.

Histone Cytotoxicity Assay.

EA.hy926 cells were incubated with 50 μg/ml histones, histone H4 orhistone H4 peptide (H4P39) in Opti-MEM medium at 37° C. for 60 min andthen for 5 min at RT after 10 μg/ml propidium iodide (PI) was added.Cells were washed and detached with 0.526 mM EDTA in PBS and subjectedto flow cytometry for PI (FL3) positive staining.

Bactericidal Activity Assay.

E. coli were incubated with 100 μg/ml histones, histone H4 or histone H4peptide (H4P39) for 30 min at 37° C. with shaking in HBSS containing 10mM HEPES, pH 7.5 and 0.3% trypticase soy broth. Samples were then platedon LB agar and incubated at 37° C. overnight. Bactericidal activity ofhistones, histone H4 and H4P39 was determined by comparing bacterialcolony numbers on the plates.

Example 2—Results

Upregulation of EPCR and Protein C Activation on Macrophages Activatedby LPS and IFN.

Unlike TM mRNA expression pattern which is highest in mouse lung tissuebut low in heart, kidney, liver, spleen and thymus, EPCR mRNA is highlyexpressed in spleen and other organ tissues (FIG. 1A). In contrast todown regulation of TM mRNA in mouse lung and heart tissues, EPCR mRNAwas up regulated by LPS challenge in all organ tissues we examined (FIG.1B). Immunoprecipitation and Western blot confirmed that EPCR proteinwas highly expressed in spleen and other organ tissues (FIG. 1C). Theseresults indicated that EPCR might be expressed on other cell types inaddition to endothelial cells.

In the study of EPCR expression on various mouse immune cells, theinventors found that EPCR could be dramatically up regulated onperitoneal macrophages by LPS and IFN (FIG. 2A), in contrast to the downregulation of TM (FIG. 2B). EPCR mRNA was also greatly increased afterLPS and IFN stimulation (data not shown), suggests that cell surfaceEPCR up-regulation is due to de novo protein synthesis. The inventorsshowed previously that EPCR could enhance protein C activation bythrombin-TM complex in a reconstituted liposome system in an EPCRconcentration dependent fashion (10), and here we found that theenhancement of protein C activation on activated macrophages after LPSand IFN stimulation correlated to the EPCR expression level, EPCRmonoclonal antibody could effectively inhibit protein C activation (FIG.3A). Interestingly, mouse peritoneal macrophages constitutively expresscoagulation factor VII mRNA (data not shown), and when the inventorsadded coagulation factor V, X, prothrombin and protein C on these cells,both thrombin and APC could be easily detected (FIG. 3B), suggestingthat initiation, amplification and stop of blood coagulation couldhappen on the same cell of macrophages with the endogenous tissue factorand coagulation factor VII. Again, the protein C activation under thiscircumstance was also greatly increased on activated macrophagesstimulated with LPS and IFN (FIG. 3C). No prothrombin or protein Cactivation could be detected in the absence of factor V or X (data notshown).

APC Cleaves Histone 114 Released from Activated Macrophages.

Next, the inventors asked whether APC could play any role on activatedmacrophages other than as an anticoagulant. They incubated LPS and IFNactivated mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells with recombinant human APC andfound that histone H4 was released into the conditioned medium and wascleaved by APC (FIG. 4A). The epitope of mAb BWA3 used in the Westernblot is in the N terminus of both histone H2A and histone H4 (Monestieret al., 1993). Only histone H4, but not histone H2A, was detected inthis condition (FIG. 4A). Purified histone H4 was also cleaved by APCand a cluster of 4-7 KD fragments could be found on SDS-PAGE (FIG. 4B).Mass spectrum of these histone H4 fragments identified these peptidecleavage sites generated by APC (Table 2).

TABLE 2 Mass spectrum determines histone H4 cleavages sites generated by APC Obsv'd Theoret. MW MW Position Peptide Sequence 4473.27 4473.4840-78 RGGVKRISGLIYEETRGVLKVFLENVIRDAVTYTEHAKR (SEQ ID NO: 7) 4969.624969.81 36-78 RLARGGVKRISGLIYEETRGVLKVFLENVIRDAVTYIEHAKR (SEQ ID NO: 8)5098.13 5097.90 36-79 RLARGGVKRISGLIYEETRGVLKVFLENVIRDAVTYTEHAKRK(SEQ ID NO: 9) 5893.50 5893.26 40-91RGGVKRISGLIYEETRGVLKVFLENVIRDAVTYTEHAKRKTVT AMDVVYALK (SEQ ID NO: 10)6049.69 6049.37 40-92 RGGVKRISGLIYEETRGVLKVFLENVIRDAVTYTEHAKRKTVTAMDVVYALKR (SEQ ID NO: 11) 6390.96 6390.55 40-95RGGVKRISGLIYEETRGVLKVFLENVIRDAVTYTEHAKRKTVTAMDVVYALKRQGR (SEQ ID NO: 12) 6545.55 6545.69 36-92RLARRGGVKRISGLIYEETRGVLKVFLENVIRDAVTYTEHAKRKTVTAMDVVYALKR (SEQ ID NO: 13)

Cleaving Histone H4 by APC Modulates Histone 114 Bactericidal andCytotoxic Activities.

Previously, a number of reports indicated that nuclear histone proteinscould be detected on the surface of various cells including monocyte andneutrophil under different conditions (Herren et al., 2006; Radic etal., 2004; Emlen et al., 1992; Brinkmann et al., 2004). In this study,the inventors found that histone H4 could be released into theconditioned medium from mouse macrophages stimulated with LPS and IFN.Since extracellular histones are not only antimicrobial but alsocytotoxic to mammalian cells (Hirsch, 1958; Abakushin et al., 1999;Currie et al., 1997; Kleine et al., 1997), they asked whether APCcleavage of histone could modulate these activities. The inventorstreated two strains of E. coli with histones, histone H4 and one histoneH4P39 peptide generated by APC (residues 40-78), and measured theirbactericidal activities. FIGS. 5A-D show that H4P39 more effectivelykill both strains of E. coli than histones and histone H4. In contrast,H4P39 peptide had much reduced cytotoxicity toward endothelial cellsthan histones and histone H4 (FIG. 5C). Co-injection of H4P39 peptidewith a lethal dose of LPS significantly rescued the mice from thelethality of sepsis (FIG. 5D). These results indicate that H4P39 peptidemight be a potential therapeutic in treating infectious diseases,especially for those antibiotics-resistant pathogens. This study alsosuggests that modulation of extracellular histone activities might be anadditional mechanism for APC exerting its anti-inflammation andcytoprotection effects independent from its anti-coagulation activityand PAR-1 mediated signaling.

Upregulation of Interleukins by Histones is Blocked by APC.

The inventors have shown that histones can decrease the anti-coagulantactivity of endothelium by dramatically down-regulating proteins Cactivation (FIG. 7) and increasing the pro-inflammatory activity ofendothelium by up-regulating IL-6 and IL-8 production (FIGS. 8-9). Theup-regulation of IL-6 and IL-8 production by histones can be recapturedby histone H3 or H4, and partially inhibited by anti-TLR-2 andanti-TLR-4 antibodies, suggesting that histones may signal through TLR-2and TLR-4. However, the exact mechanisms of histone-TLR-mediatedsignaling on endothelium are probably different from bacterialpathogen-TLR signaling pathways because LPS and Pam3CSK4 (a syntheticbacterial lipoprotein peptide) have no effect under this serum-freeculture condition (FIGS. 8-9). Again, APC completely inhibits histoneeffect on IL-6 and IL-8 production (FIGS. 8-9). Human embryonic kidney293 cells do not express TLR. TLR stimulation can be tested by assessingNF-κB activation in 293 cells expressing a given TLR. The inventors findthat histones only stimulate TLR-2 and TLR-4, but not TLR-3 and TLR-5,TLR-7, TLR-8 or TLR-9 (FIG. 10). These results imply that histones maybe endogenous ligands for TLR-2 and TLR-4 and play important roles inchronic cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis as well as tumorangiogenesis.

Histones also induce endothelial permeability in vitro (FIG. 11). Themolecular mechanism of this observation is under investigation.Nonetheless, the inventors believe that histone-mediated endothelialbarrier dysfunction may contribute to edema, vascular leak andcirculatory shock in many diseases including anthrax.

Example 3—Materials and Methods

Methods.

Human protein C, bovine thrombin and rat anti-mouse protein C mAb(MPC1609) were produced in our laboratory according to standardprocedures²³. Human recombinant APC (Xigris) was purchased from EliLilly. Calf thymus histones (Sigma), calf thymus histone H1, H2A, H2B,H3 and H4 (Roche), phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylserine (PS),phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) (Avanti Polar Lipids), LPS from Salmonellatyphimurium (Sigma), murine recombinant IFN (Biosource), goatanti-histone H3 (Santa Cruz) and PPACK (Calbiochem) were also purchased.PS/PC (20:80) and PE/PS/PC (40:20:40) liposomes were prepared bymembrane extrusion₁₁. Mouse anti-histone H2B (LG2-2) and anti-histone H4(BWA-3) mAbs were generated from autoimmune mice as previouslydescribed²⁴.

Animals.

Six to 8 week male C57BL/6 mice (Jackson Lab) were used according to ananimal protocol approved by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committeesof the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Baboon experiments wereperformed as previously described⁵.

Cell Culture.

The murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7 cells were cultured in RPMI1640 medium supplemented with 10% FBS. Human endothelial cell lineEA.hy926 cells were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS and HAT(hypoxanthine, aminopterin, thymidine). Murine endothelium cell linebEnd3 cells were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS.

Identification of Proteins from Stimulated Macrophage.

RAW264.7 cells were stimulated with 1 μg/ml LPS and 20 ng/ml IFN for 24hr, washed with PBS, and cultured in Opti-MEM medium (Invitrogen) withor without 100 nM human APC for 24 hr. The conditioned medium wasfiltered through a 0.22 μm filter and concentrated 80-fold with anAmicon Ultra 10,000 (Millipore). Protein bands were electrotransferredonto PVDF membrane (Immobilon-P, Millipore) after SDS-PAGE, stained withGelCode Blue (PIERCE) and sequenced by Edman degradation (AppliedBiosystems).

Histone Cytotoxicity Assay.

EA.hy926 cells were incubated with concentrated conditioned medium orvarious histones mixed with or without 100 nM protein C, APC or 10 nMthrombin in Opti-MEM medium at 37° C. for the indicated time and thenfor 5 min at room temperature after 10 μg/ml PI was added. Cells werewashed and detached with 0.526 mM EDTA in PBS and subjected to flowcytometry for PI staining.

Example 4—Results

To explore potential physiological mediators involved in thepathogenesis of sepsis and molecular targets other than coagulantfactors by which APC could exert its protective effect in vivo, theinventors cultured LPS and interferon gamma (IFN) activated murinemacrophage RAW264.7 cells either in the presence or absence ofrecombinant human APC. The cytotoxicity toward endothelium was thencompared between the two conditioned media. The conditioned medium fromLPS and IFN activated macrophages was toxic to the human endothelialcell line, EA.hy926, as measured by propidium iodide (PI) staining. APCreduced this cytotoxicity (FIG. 12A). Comparing these conditioned mediaby SDS-PAGE, three new major and distinct protein bands of 10 kD, 13 kDand 15 kD, appeared in the presence of APC (FIG. 12B). Edman sequencingidentified XVLRDNIQGITKPAI (SEQ ID NO:14) as the N-terminal sequence ofthe 10 kD band protein which matches the murine histone H4 internalsequence (Val21-Ile34). The first amino acid (X) of the 10 kD proteinwas identified as methylated lysine (data not shown). The N-terminalsequence of the 13 kD band protein was KSAPATGGV (SEQ ID NO:15) whichmatches the murine histone H3 internal sequence (Lys27-Lys36). TheN-terminal sequence of the 15 kD band protein could not be determined bydirect Edman sequencing. Following in gel tryptic digestion, MS/MSidentified three peptide sequences of AGLQFPVGR (SEQ ID NO:16), HLQLAIR(SEQ ID NO:17) and VTIAQGGVLPNIQAVLLPK (SEQ ID NO:18) in this proteinband that matchs the murine histone H2A protein sequence (amino acids21-29, 82-88 and 100-118). These data suggested that extracellularhistones released from activated macrophages might be cytotoxic towardendothelium and that APC could be cytoprotective by cleaving thesehistones. The histone H3 identification was confirmed by Westernblotting using anti-histone H3 antibody (FIG. 12D). The apparentincrease in histone fragments present in the conditioned medium ofactivated macrophages cultured with APC might indicate that APC couldnot only cleave the soluble extracellular histones in the medium butalso the histones associated with the activated cells.

To determine if histones are toxic to endothelium and whether APC canreduce the histone cytotoxicity, the inventors treated EA.hy926 with amixture of histones or five individual histones. FIG. 13A shows that amixture of histones is very cytotoxic to the endothelium and thistoxicity is mainly due to histone H3 and H4. Inclusion of APCdramatically reduced this cytotoxicity (FIG. 13D).

To test whether APC could cleave histones in a purified system, theinventors incubated the purified histone H3 or H4 with APC. APC cleavedhistone H3 and H4 in a dose dependent fashion (FIG. 13C). Liposomescontaining phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) dramatically enhanced histonecleavage by APC (FIG. 13D), similar to the effect of PE on APCinactivation of coagulation factor Va (Smirnov & Esmon, 1994). Thislipid mixture is presumably a mimic of a cell surface membrane afterinjury or exposure to a potent agonist.

Histone cytotoxicity depends on histone concentration (FIG. 14A). 10 nMand 100 nM APC can effectively reduce the cytotoxicity of low histoneconcentration (25 μg/ml) but only 100 nM APC effectively reduces thecytotoxicity of histones at 50 μg/ml (FIG. 14A). Preincubation ofhistones (50 μg/ml) and APC (100 nM) for only 5 min eliminates most ofthe histone cytotoxicity (FIG. 14B). This cytoprotective effect of APCagainst histones is mediated by degrading histones (FIG. 14C).Cytoprotection is independent of APC mediated PAR1 signaling onendothelium because APC was inactivated by PPACK after preincubationwith the histones (Riewald et al., 2002). Protein C is converted to APCby the thrombomodulinthrombincomplex on endothelium. The inventors foundthat the endothelial cells were not protected with either protein C orthrombin from histone cytotoxicity. The protection was only observedwhen both protein C and thrombin were present. Under these conditions,about 6% of the protein C was activated (FIG. 14D and data not shown).Fully activated protein C provided the best protection (FIG. 14D).

To test whether extracellular histones may be involved in thepathogenesis of diseases and if APC can cleave these histones in vivo,the inventors examined frozen archival plasma samples from a non-humanprimate model of sepsis in which baboons were challenged with a lethaldose of E. coli (Taylor et al., 1987). Infusion of APC rescued theseanimals (Taylor et al., 1987). The inventors measured extracellularhistones in the plasma from animals challenged with the lethal dose ofE. coli either in the absence or presence of infused APC. Intact histoneH3 was detected by Western blot in the plasma of the two baboonschallenged with the lethal dose of E. coli and reached about 15 μg/ml 8hours post-challenge (FIG. 14E). The inventors were unable to measureother histones in the same way because those anti-histone antibodieswere not adequately sensitive. The increase in histone H3 accompaniedthe onset of acute renal failure as indicated by a high serum creatininelevel, 2.65+/−0.05 mg/dL (normal range: 0.7-1.4 mg/dL) 8 hourspost-challenge. Both intact and cleaved histone H3 were observed in theplasma of two animals challenged with a lethal dose of E. coli andadministered APC, indicating that APC can cleave extracellular histonesin vivo and presumably decrease their cytotoxicity (FIG. 14E). APCco-infusion protected renal function as indicated by the normal serumcreatinine level, 1.15+/−0.15 mg/dL at 8 hours post-challenge. APCcleavage of extracellular histones in the circulation, therebyprotecting endothelium from histone cytotoxicity, appears to be a newmechanism contributing to its beneficial effects in sepsis.

To test the toxic effect of histones in vivo, the inventors injected 75mg/kg of histones intravenously into mice. All mice (n=5) died withinone hour after injection. Co-injection of recombinant APC (5 mg APC/kg)rescued all of the mice (n=5) challenged with the same lethal dose ofhistones (data not shown). The calculated histone H3 concentration inthe circulation of mice injected with the lethal dose of histones isabout 5 times higher than the histone H3 level detected in the baboonplasma 8 hr post challenge with E. coli. The injected exogenous histoneswere rapidly cleared with a half life less than 1 minute (data notshown), indicating that the higher levels used in the infusion wouldfail to maintain pathologically observed levels for more than 1 min. Theratio of APC to histone H3 used to rescue the mice in vivo is similar tothe ratio of APC to histone H3 used in endothelial cytoprotectionexperiment in vitro.

To test the pathological significance of extracellular histones in theprogression of the septic response, the inventors co-infusedanti-histone H4 mAb with a high dose of LPS (FIG. 15A). The anti-histoneH4 mAb protected the mice from the lethal response to LPS indicatingthat histone H4 is a major mediator of injury in sepsis. To test whetherinhibition of histone cytotoxicity by endogenous APC does indeed play asignificant role in protection from death in a model of sepsis, theinventors challenged mice with a low dose of LPS in the absence orpresence of an anti-mouse protein C mAb. This mAb, which blocks proteinC activation both in vitro and in vivo (data not shown), converted anon-lethal into a lethal LPS dose (FIG. 15B). This result is consistentwith the recent finding that acute inflammation is exacerbated in micegenetically predisposed to a severe protein C deficiency (Lay et al.,2007) and clinical observations that severe protein C deficiency isassociated with early death in septic patients (Macias & Nelson, 2004).Co-infusion of anti-histone H4 mAb effectively rescued the mice from thelethality caused by LPS and the blockade of protein C activation (FIG.15B), implying that targeting extracellular histones is an additionalmechanism by which endogenous APC protects mice in this sepsis model. Incontrast, the anti-histone H2B mAb failed to rescue the mice, suggestingthat histone H4 is a major contributor of histone cytotoxicity in thismodel, consistent with the stronger cytotoxicity of histone H4 thanother histones in vitro (FIG. 13A). Histone H3 was detected in plasmafrom mice challenged with LPS plus protein C mAb but not LPS alone (FIG.15C), further demonstrating a critical role of APC in regulatingextracellular histone levels in vivo.

Example 5—Treatment of Sepsis in Baboon Model

The treatment of sepsis by inhibition of extracellular histones wastested in a baboon model in which the baboon was pre-treated with theanti-histone H4 mAb (BWA-3). The baboon was infused with anti-histone H4(10 mg/kg) for 30 min prior to initiation of infection. After the 30minutes of infusion the baboon was infused with a lethal dose of E. coli(2×10¹⁰ E. coli/kg) for 2 hours and subsequently monitored for signs ofinfection. Despite the lethal dose, the baboon survived for 7 days andthen was sacrificed for pathology study. The pathology report indicatedthat except for some mild to minimal changes, the organs evaluatedappeared to be essentially normal. There was no evidence of a septicdisease process.

All of the compositions and methods disclosed and claimed herein can bemade and executed without undue experimentation in light of the presentdisclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention havebeen described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent tothose of skill in the art that variations may be applied to thecompositions and methods, and in the steps or in the sequence of stepsof the method described herein, without departing from the concept,spirit and scope of the invention. More specifically, it will beapparent that certain agents which are both chemically andphysiologically related may be substituted for the agents describedherein while the same or similar results would be achieved. All suchsimilar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in theart are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

VI. References

The following references, to the extent that they provide exemplaryprocedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein, arespecifically incorporated herein by reference:

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1. A method of inhibiting a medical condition involving extracellularhistone cytotoxicity in a subject comprising administering to saidsubject a first inhibitor histone cytotoxicity, wherein said firstinhibitor is not an H2A peptide, and wherein said condition is notsystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). 2-4. (canceled)
 5. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising administering to said subject a secondinhibitor of histone cytotoxicity.
 6. The method of claim 5, whereinsaid second inhibitor is an H1, H2A, H2B, H3 or H4 histone fragment orpeptide.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising administering tosaid subject a cocktail of at least three distinct histone fragments orpeptides.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said subject is a human,dog, cat, horse, monkey, mouse, rat, rabbit, sheep, goat, cow or pig. 9.The method of claim 1, further comprising administering to said subjectan anti-inflammatory agent.
 10. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising administering to said subject activated protein C. 11-15.(canceled)
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein said medical condition isbacterial sepsis, fungal sepsis, surgery, traumatic hemorrhage and/ortissue damage, acute pancreatitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome,ischemia-reperfusion injury, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseaseother than SLE, chemotherapy toxicity, radiotherapy toxicity, cytokinetherapy toxicity, or burn.
 17. A method of inhibiting a non-septicmedical condition involving extracellular histone cytotoxicity in asubject comprising administering to a subject a first inhibitor histonecytotoxicity, and wherein said condition is not systemic lupuserythematosus (SLE). 18-25. (canceled)
 26. A method of inhibitingpro-inflammatory cytokine production by endothelial cells in a subjectcomprising administering to said subject a first inhibitor histonecytotoxicity, wherein said first inhibitor is not an H2A peptide. 27.The method of claim 26, wherein said subject does not have systemiclupus erythematosus (SLE).
 28. The method of claim 26, wherein saidpro-inflammatory cytokine is IL-6 or IL-8. 29-31. (canceled)
 32. Themethod of claim 26, further comprising administering to said subject asecond inhibitor of histone cytotoxicity.
 33. The method of claim 32,wherein said second inhibitor is an H1, H2A, H2B, H3 or H4 histonefragment or peptide.
 34. The method of claim 33, further comprisingadministering to said subject a cocktail of at least three distincthistone fragments or peptides.
 35. The method of claim 26, wherein saidsubject is a human, dog, cat, horse, monkey, mouse, rat, rabbit, sheep,goat, cow or pig. 36-39. (canceled)
 40. The method of claim 26, whereinsaid subject suffers from a chronic cardiovascular disease,athlerosclereosis, tumor angiogenesis or trauma.
 41. A method ofreducing endothelial permeability in a subject comprising administeringto said subject a first inhibitor histone cytotoxicity, wherein saidfirst inhibitor is not an H2A peptide.
 42. The method of claim 41, andwherein said subject does not have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).43. The method of claim 41, wherein said subject has contacted anthraxor suffers from trauma, edema, vascular leak or circulatory shock.44-46. (canceled)
 47. The method of claim 41, further comprisingadministering to said subject a second inhibitor of histonecytotoxicity.
 48. The method of claim 47, wherein said second inhibitoris an H1, H2A, H2B, H3 or H4 histone fragment or peptide.
 49. The methodof claim 48, further comprising administering to said subject a cocktailof at least three distinct histone fragments or peptides.
 50. The methodof claim 41, wherein said subject is a human, dog, cat, horse, monkey,mouse, rat, rabbit, sheep, goat, cow or pig. 51-54. (canceled)